Goshawks Carleton Park Brampton

[Iain]

Hello,

I agree with Thomas' initial assessment (and Reuven's follow-up) that these birds are Cooper's Hawks.  Several strong points have been mentioned already including the breast/belly streaking (which is the leading indicator for me) as well as the nature of the tail bands which are too thick and straight (and lacking in white border) to suggest Goshawk.  

Good Birding,
Iain

[cairnstone]

I apologize Thomas for dismissing your ID of this bird. I am including a much better photo of what I believe is the same bird. The tail points to Cooper's as mentioned.

Having said that, I am still certain I saw a goshawk last week. At one point I saw three hawks acting excitedly. The vocalizations of one of them indicated to me goshawk. I listened to many recordings and it was a clear match. I am very familiar with the vocalizations of Cooper's Hawks since I have been living with them for years.

This is the most unusual Cooper's Hawk I have ever encountered for several reasons:

a) It is stoic and unafraid of humans. I photographed it this morning then went for a coffee. I came back more than an hour later and it hadn't moved.
b) The other birds are not afraid of it and carry on their business within a few meters of the hawk. I am accustomed to seeing them flee or freeze when a Cooper's Hawk flies in.
c) The Blue Jays squawked at it for about 10 second and then lost interest.
d) I could barley fit it in the camera viewfinder and it seemed bored with me. It must be the largest Cooper's I have seen.

Thank you all for your input and knowledge.

[Bluffs Birder]

(Sorry, I didn't realize there was a second page to this thread when I wrote this post!)

Reuven has done a great job of pointing out just what to look for.  Your photos are clearly of Cooper's Hawks.  We usually have incredible 'up close' views of both species as they fly by on fall migration during our Hawk Watch along the Scarborough Bluffs.  The underside markings of a typical juvenile Goshawk is very heavy streaking which generally runs the length of the body right down to the tail and includes the leg feathers.  The overall underside background colour is buffy and not white as in the photos shown.  As mentioned Goshawks would be quite a rare sight in Toronto, except during migration periods.  Don't think I've ever seen one reported on this board outside of that time.

Walter

[mr.sharp-photo]

(Sorry, I didn't realize there was a second page to this thread when I wrote this post!)

Reuven has done a great job of pointing out just what to look for.  Your photos are clearly of Cooper's Hawks.  We usually have incredible 'up close' views of both species as they fly by on fall migration during our Hawk Watch along the Scarborough Bluffs.  The underside markings of a typical juvenile Goshawk is very heavy streaking which generally runs the length of the body right down to the tail and includes the leg feathers.  The overall underside background colour is buffy and not white as in the photos shown.  As mentioned Goshawks would be a quite rare sight in Toronto, except during migration periods.  Don't think I've ever seen one reported on this board outside of that time.

Walter

except for the one i apparently photographed in December at two separate visits at the Spit

[BetCrooks]

Cairnstone is it possible your 3 Coopers were upset and/or chasing away a Goshawk? (therefore hearing the calls?)

[cairnstone]

That is my thinking BetCrooks. I believe I saw 2 Cooper's and 1 goshawk. I have seen the Cooper's drive out intruders before. Interestingly, I have not seen the resident adult Cooper's Hawk since these events. It was a reliable daily sight and I have posted photos of it here recently.

[Bluffs Birder]

except for the one i apparently photographed in December at two separate visits at the Spit

Hey Richard,

:oops:, forgot you had recently seen and photographed a Goshawk at the Spit, my bad!  Two sightings of likely the same bird still make it rare though.

Just a thought - As we had only counted 6 Northern Goshawks this fall at the RMG Hawk Watch, and I believe other Watch site counts were down as well, it's likely that this species held out and migrated later than normal.  It could be that cairnstone did in fact 'see' and hear a Goshawk, who knows.

Walter