spring birds in Cedarvale Ravine

[Janet Patterson]

I'm starting a project to document all the birds I see in Cedarvale Ravine. Today I heard my first song sparrow of the season. Never spotted it, but I did hear and see a red-winged blackbird, and a pair of red-tailed hawks.
<a data-flickr-embed="true"  href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pattersonjanet/32664171693/in/dateposted-ff/" title="IMG_0567"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3693/32664171693_9ef24b8de2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0567"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Kris Ito]

Hi Janet,

Sounds like a great project but looks like the link to your flickr photo did not work. Here are some simple instructions: go to your photo in Flickr and click the arrow button in bottom right corner to "share" the photo. Select "BBC Code" and a medium size, then copy the link provided. Now create your message here on the forums and simply "paste" your photo link into the text box. Use the preview button to see if it worked. That's it! Also please make sure that any photos you want to share are made "public" on your Flickr page.

-Kris

[Janet Patterson]

OK, hopefully these links will work!
IMG_0575 by Janet Patterson, on Flickr
RT-hawk by Janet Patterson, on Flickr

[Kris Ito]

Yay it worked! A nice pair of raptors indeed but I believe your second photo is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Note the delicate reddish streaking vs. the dark blotchy "belly band" of the Red-tail. The smaller, rounder head shape also indicates that this is a Sharpie and not a Cooper's Hawk.

K

[Janet Patterson]

Wow, I really appreciate the proper ID, Kris! I was deceived by the bright sunshine on its breast. I'm still learning ...
IMG_0594 by Janet Patterson, on Flickr

[Reuven_M]

It's a Cooper's Hawk, you can see the graduated tail feathers and capped rather than hooded appearance

[Kris Ito]

Thanks Reuven! I thought the head looked too rounded and small in Janet's first pic. Oh those accipiters - always a challenge!