Can anyone id this guy for me? I took these on Saturday. It is quite a way off, but when I tried 'zooming with my feet', he upped and left. Actually, looking at the third picture, he...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I took these on Saturday. It is quite a way off, but when I tried 'zooming with my feet', he upped and left. Actually, looking at the third picture, he was looking that way, so maybe he saw something worth eating!

I like the second one, where he actually turned to look at me...

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

I believe it is a Sharp Shinned Hawk

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Bloke wrote:

I took these on Saturday. It is quite a way off, but when I tried 'zooming with my feet', he upped and left. Actually, looking at the third picture, he was looking that way, so maybe he saw something worth eating!

I like the second one, where he actually turned to look at me...

He is a male sparrow hawk.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

lowkick wrote:

He is a male sparrow hawk.

He does look like what we have here in CA. and used to call a sparrow hawk. They are now known as the American Kestral. They are pretty small, and is so, you are a long way from me, but he could be a cousin.
But if so, they are pretty widespread.
SS

Disclaimer: I don't pretend to be a bird guy, nor have I ever played one on TV. ;-)

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

definitely not the American Kestrel. The European Sparrowhawk and the Sharpshinned are both Acipiter, but the Kestrel is Falco as a genus. The European Sparrowhawk is not found in PA. After further observation of the pictures, I am going to go with Coopers Hawk. It is also an Acipiter, but the Coopers has yellow legs and the Sharpshinned are darker. The position of the eye also suggests Coopers.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

http://www.hawkmountain.org/raptorpedia/hawks-at-hawk-mountain/hawk-species-at-hawk-mountain/sharp-shinned-hawk/page.aspx?id=575

http://www.whatbird.com/birdexpert/StateColorSize/2/6514/birdexpert.aspx

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Thanks for the replies... At least I have an idea what to call him next time!

My knowledge of the details is a bit thin: "Bird!, bird!", or at least "Raptor, raptor!"

I quite often see raptors hunting around here, but don't always have the camera with me, or get close enough to use it if I do. This chap was just sitting, waiting for me...

Thanks again.

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

http://feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids/coopers-hawk-and-sharp-shinned-hawk/

Describes the difference between Cooper's & Sharpshinned

busted_shutter

No birdman here, but right-off thought Cooper's.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

lighthouse wrote:

http://www.hawkmountain.org/raptorpedia/hawks-at-hawk-mountain/hawk-species-at-hawk-mountain/sharp-shinned-hawk/page.aspx?id=575

http://www.whatbird.com/birdexpert/StateColorSize/2/6514/birdexpert.aspx

I followed your link, and found that it could be one of two, distinguished by the tail - and you can't see the tail in any of my shots! Oh, well...

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Looks like a Peregrin falcon to me

A. J. Loc: PA. USA

DrPhrogg wrote:

definitely not the American Kestrel. The European Sparrowhawk and the Sharpshinned are both Acipiter, but the Kestrel is Falco as a genus. The European Sparrowhawk is not found in PA. After further observation of the pictures, I am going to go with Coopers Hawk. It is also an Acipiter, but the Coopers has yellow legs and the Sharpshinned are darker. The position of the eye also suggests Coopers.

The hawk has a dark cap and not a dark hood that continues into the back as a sharp-shinned would have, my vote is for a Coopers hawk. :-D

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

A. J. wrote:

The hawk has a dark cap and not a dark hood that continues into the back as a sharp-shinned would have, my vote is for a Coopers hawk. :-D

The descriptions are almost identical.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk: Small hawk with blue-gray upperparts and rufous bars on white underparts. Eyes are dark red. Wings are short and rounded. Tail is long and squared with heavy bars. Legs and feet are yellow. Flight consists of rapid wing beats followed by a short glide. Often soars on thermals.

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk: Medium, agile hawk with dark blue-gray back and white underparts with many fine rufous bars. Cap is darker than upperparts. Eyes are red. The tail is long with thick black-and-white bands. Legs and feet are yellow. Alternates rapid wing beats and short glides, often soars on thermals.