Hawk ID, please.
Oct 22, 2016 14:34:21 #
Juvie sharp shinned or cooper's hawk? Not much bigger than a crow. Whatever it is, I don't like it 10 feet from the feeder that attracts sparrows, finches, chickadees, et al. 
Oct 22, 2016 14:58:23 #
Oct 22, 2016 15:14:43 #
If it's as large or larger than a crow, then it's a Coopers. A Sharpie is much smaller than a crow and also much smaller than a Coopers.
Oct 22, 2016 15:30:32 #
Oct 22, 2016 16:34:25 #
Coopers is correct. This one is easy. The tail gives it away. A sharpshined's tail is squared off and the bottom and has a cleft.
Oct 22, 2016 17:05:08 #
Thanks for all the responses. 3 to 1 for Cooper's. Since I don't see these often, I wasn't even sure it was a hawk. Didn't know hawks could be so small! 
Thanks again. 
Thanks again. Oct 22, 2016 18:59:18 #
OddJobber wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. 3 to 1 for Cooper's. Since I don't see these often, I wasn't even sure it was a hawk. Didn't know hawks could be so small! Thanks again.
Thanks again. So small? You ain't seen nothing yet. The American Kestrel (aka Sparrow Hawk) makes this look like a Roc. One used to hunt my yard in Azusa when I lived there. About like a lean buffed out pigeon with attitude. It would leave feathers and wings etc around the yard, esp near the two Italian Cypress on both sides of my driveway gate. (aka Highrise Sparrow Apartments) I don't know which was worse, cleaning the poop off the cars and concrete or cleaning up the remains of his snacks.
Oct 22, 2016 19:20:48 #
robertjerl wrote:
I don't know which was worse, cleaning the poop off the cars and concrete or cleaning up the remains of his snacks.
That's why I hope Mr Cooper doesn't become a frequent visitor.
Oct 23, 2016 12:01:40 #
OddJobber wrote:
That's why I hope Mr Cooper doesn't become a frequent visitor.
You don't have to worry about the hawk. We have a pair that nest every year behind our house. They are only 30 yards from my feeder. The prey species become aware of the predators, so the numbers taken are reduced. Be happy you have some great ops for capturing this species. They can be a tough one to capture.
Oct 23, 2016 13:10:22 #
Thanks for the encouragemment, Dave. I did notice that there no other birds in sight. But please don't call my little friends "prey species". 
Oct 23, 2016 13:36:07 #
OddJobber wrote:
Thanks for the encouragemment, Dave. I did notice that there no other birds in sight. But please don't call my little friends "prey species".
How about "middle of the food chain" species? With the bugs and stuff being "bottom of the food chain" and the big raptors "top of the food chain".
Oct 24, 2016 00:41:46 #
I'm not sure, Larry, but I think it's a Cooper's Hawk. Very nice images!
Oct 24, 2016 12:41:36 #
sailorsmom wrote:
I'm not sure, Larry, but I think it's a Cooper's Hawk. Very nice images!
Thanks, Sue. I hate the stick in the second shot but it was a good pic for ID. This guy has the raptor attitude!
Oct 24, 2016 12:56:58 #
robertjerl wrote:
How about "middle of the food chain" species? With the bugs and stuff being "bottom of the food chain" and the big raptors "top of the food chain".
Sorry, Robert, I can't buy into that rationalization. You see, in my pesticide-free perfect-world backyard realm, the little guys are the top of the food chain. The occasional raptor is just biological contamination.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.