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Identify the Hawk
Jan 10, 2019 16:33:43   #
rond-photography Loc: Connecticut
 
This hawk is either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinned Hawk. The Cornell "All About Birds" site tells how to tell them apart, and I am leaning toward the Sharp Shinned. But I keep finding little identifiers that I am not sure about (is that tail considered square or rounded; it is maybe too big to be an SS, but maybe it is the female which is bigger?; etc.). Anyone able to conclusively ID this one?
They both eat small birds, and this one was watching my bird feeder. On the suet block was a hairy woodpecker that stayed on the far side of the bloc from the hawk and remained motionless for 5 minutes until the hawk went away (hungry).





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Jan 10, 2019 16:47:12   #
Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA
 
With the white line of feathers above eye, I am leaning towards an immature Sharp Shinned. Also has a small head.

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Jan 10, 2019 16:51:43   #
Katydid Loc: Davis, CA
 
I also was thinking Sharp-shinned Hawk. The tail is squared off, the shoulders broader on top, but I can't remember which one has more forward set eyes. And yes, the head is smaller like a Sharpie. Love the picture, a great closeup.

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Jan 10, 2019 17:04:09   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
rond-photography wrote:
This hawk is either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinned Hawk. The Cornell "All About Birds" site tells how to tell them apart, and I am leaning toward the Sharp Shinned. But I keep finding little identifiers that I am not sure about (is that tail considered square or rounded; it is maybe too big to be an SS, but maybe it is the female which is bigger?; etc.). Anyone able to conclusively ID this one?
They both eat small birds, and this one was watching my bird feeder. On the suet block was a hairy woodpecker that stayed on the far side of the bloc from the hawk and remained motionless for 5 minutes until the hawk went away (hungry).
This hawk is either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinn... (show quote)


It does appear to be too large for a Sharp Shinned, but the Cooper's head is supposed to be a bit squared off and this head looks rounder. However the immatures heads look rounder and the head has more dark colors for a "hooded" look which is Cooper's. This one has that.
My semi-informed W. A. G. is an immature Cooper's.

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Jan 10, 2019 19:13:29   #
old man 88 Loc: Palmview, TX when not on road
 
My guess is a Sharp-shinned due to the tail being square.

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Jan 11, 2019 05:46:08   #
Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown
 
Why don't you just ask him

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Jan 11, 2019 08:59:38   #
Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut
 
That tail is rounded. It's a Cooper's Hawk. The Sharp-Shinned Hawk tail is definitively square. But the best clue is the size of the bird. The Cooper's is 14"-20" tall and the Sharp-Shin is much smaller at 10"-14" tall.

I have both species regularly in my yard terrorizing the birds at the feeders.

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Jan 11, 2019 09:09:47   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
Great shots.....like them a lot.

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Jan 11, 2019 09:56:46   #
troutbum Loc: north central pennsylvania
 
To large for a coppers I leaning more towards a younger red tail.

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Jan 12, 2019 08:48:29   #
Tilly's Mom
 
The feet and legs seem to point to a Sharpie. I have a few Cooper's at mine and their feet are much heftier...nice photo!

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Jan 12, 2019 11:02:49   #
rond-photography Loc: Connecticut
 
Thanks everyone! I am going to call it a sharpie. It was interesting to find that I am not the only one having trouble identifying it! I think more of you lean toward sharpie than cooper, and since that is the one I vote for, so be it!

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Jan 13, 2019 13:34:49   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
rond-photography wrote:
This hawk is either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinned Hawk. The Cornell "All About Birds" site tells how to tell them apart, and I am leaning toward the Sharp Shinned. But I keep finding little identifiers that I am not sure about (is that tail considered square or rounded; it is maybe too big to be an SS, but maybe it is the female which is bigger?; etc.). Anyone able to conclusively ID this one?
They both eat small birds, and this one was watching my bird feeder. On the suet block was a hairy woodpecker that stayed on the far side of the bloc from the hawk and remained motionless for 5 minutes until the hawk went away (hungry).
This hawk is either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinn... (show quote)


White terminal tail-band = Coopers. Female. Great set.

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