Hawk ID Needed
Dec 26, 2015 16:51:12 #
Hi all,
I spotted this blasted hawk in my neighbor's tree a couple of hours ago. Went out to chase it away from my birds and squirrels, but decided to shoot it first. This is in Cape May, NJ.
Could someone ID it for me? I can't get to my bird books right now - they're blocked by the Christmas tree!
Thanks!
I spotted this blasted hawk in my neighbor's tree a couple of hours ago. Went out to chase it away from my birds and squirrels, but decided to shoot it first. This is in Cape May, NJ.
Could someone ID it for me? I can't get to my bird books right now - they're blocked by the Christmas tree!
Thanks!
Dec 26, 2015 17:07:50 #
LOL - and to think I always root for the raptor :)
I believe it's a Cooper's Hawk, but some of these look alike to me.
I believe it's a Cooper's Hawk, but some of these look alike to me.
Dec 26, 2015 17:45:36 #
Dec 26, 2015 18:23:18 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
LOL - and to think I always root for the raptor :)
I believe it's a Cooper's Hawk, but some of these look alike to me.
I believe it's a Cooper's Hawk, but some of these look alike to me.
Thanks, Linda. I usually root for the raptors, too - except for when MY squirrels are threatened.
I'll either google a Cooper's or wait until Christmas is over and the tree is removed!
Dec 26, 2015 18:24:05 #
Keldon wrote:
Either a Coopers or a sharp-shinned.
Thanks. Between you and Linda, I now have something to go on. I'll google them both and report back.
Dec 26, 2015 18:58:02 #
OK - I did some research with the help of Mr. Google. From what I can tell based on the pattern on the breast, the shape of the head, and the shape of the tail, this is a sharp-shinned hawk. I'm not 100% sure, though.
Dec 26, 2015 19:45:24 #
Dec 26, 2015 20:29:22 #
Whatever the name they are beautiful birds...and they all look like they mean business.
Dec 26, 2015 21:07:26 #
Keldon
Loc: Yukon, B.C.
I think it only looks rounded because it's blurred. Otherwise it seems to be notched like a sharp-shinned.
Fred Harwood wrote:
The rounded tail suggests a Cooper.
Dec 27, 2015 09:33:35 #
Fred Harwood wrote:
The rounded tail suggests a Cooper.
Thanks for the input, Fred. I think Keldon is right about the tail only appearing rounded because of the blurring. I went back and looked at all of the 10 or so shots I took. The tail is blurred in every one of them, confound it. Probably the case because I was in a hurry to just grab the camera to get the shots. It was very windy and overcast and I was shooting in aperture mode - not my usual shutter speed mode when I shoot birds.
Dec 27, 2015 09:42:15 #
Dec 28, 2015 15:08:09 #
The tail isn't blurred enough to hide the rounded shape, and the pattern under the eye says Cooper's. It's odd in that the last tail band is so weak, but that doesn't change the ID. I'd say, the 1st's a great picture.
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