Who is this guy? (Bird ID): He lives in the mountains of Idaho. Strategically perched on a bird house post between our two feeders. Needless to say the rest of the feathered world...

MtnMan Loc: ID

He lives in the mountains of Idaho. Strategically perched on a bird house post between our two feeders. Needless to say the rest of the feathered world remained missing while he was here...which wasn't too long. He at least waited till I ran for my camera and attached my Sigma 150-500 to it...but I had to take the image through a double glass window so apologize for the weak clarity.

Anyhow, what kind of Hawk or Falcon?

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foehner Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Looks like a Coopers Hawk. Our bird feeders in St. Louis get daily visits by a pair of these.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

MtnMan wrote:

He lives in the mountains of Idaho. Strategically perched on a bird house post between our two feeders. Needless to say the rest of the feathered world remained missing while he was here...which wasn't too long. He at least waited till I ran for my camera and attached my Sigma 150-500 to it...but I had to take the image through a double glass window so apologize for the weak clarity.

Anyhow, what kind of Hawk or Falcon?

Would you please post the original.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Prairie Falcon - Me thinks

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

imature sharp shinned. Note the notch in the tail to differeniate it from Coopers or Goshawk. That's my guess.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bill MN wrote:

Would you please post the original.

Huh?

Here's anohter without cropping.

(Download)

MtnMan Loc: ID

Nalu wrote:

imature sharp shinned. Note the notch in the tail to differeniate it from Coopers or Goshawk. That's my guess.

Thanks. It is likely so.

I had one a couple of years ago that was identified as sharp shinned. This part of Idaho is in their range. Now I know one thing to look for!

I think we also have Coopers but not sure about Goshawk. I'll check my guides.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Hi, you wanted to id the hawk, right. The immature hawks are tough. Cooper's, Sharp shinned and Goshawk look a lot alike, but both Coopers and Goshawk have a rounded tail. Sharp-shinned has a notched, or square tail. This photo shows a notched tail, hence my guess, Sharp-shinned. Look in Petersons Guide to Western Birds, or others. Fun Stuff, trying to id birds. Thanks for the post, good shot with glass in front of you.

MtnMan Loc: ID

traveler90712 wrote:

Prairie Falcon - Me thinks

Idaho, not Iowa. :-)

Ah, I see they live here too. Actually a funny name because their range is west of the prairies.

But juvenile sharp shinned looks more like when I compare all the suggestions so far in my guide. The yellow eyes and legs, very noticeable, eliminate the Prarie Falcon and Goshawk.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

It looks like a Juvenile Sharp Shinned Hawk. But, identifying birds can be very difficult, especially juveniles.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

MtnMan wrote:

Huh?

Coloring is much better in second photo which is needed to ID birds.

I believe that is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. Sharp-shinned has more of a square tail and darker with pencil thin legs.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bill MN wrote:

Coloring is much better in second photo which is needed to ID birds.

I believe that is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. Sharp-shinned has more of a square tail and darker with pencil thin legs.

Also due to body color per this comparison:

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

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I'm sticking with Sharp Shinned. Notched tail, high center of gravity, breast pattern. The legs might seem a little fatter than they should be compared to Coopers. Still a tough call. I could be wrong.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

So is the conclusion that this is a Coopers vs. sharp-shinned. Curious what you two think. They say even the best have trouble differentiating these two juvinals.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

Nalu wrote:

I'm sticking with Sharp Shinned. Notched tail, high center of gravity, breast pattern. The legs might seem a little fatter than they should be compared to Coopers. Still a tough call. I could be wrong.

Eyes are closer to the front on a Cooper which this one has.