Hawk Second Marsh

[What was that?]

Nice to see this hawk bombing through the trees (near to the beaver pond lookout-boardwalk). Poor chickadees decided feeding from my hand was not the better part of valor). Nevertheless, which hawk is this one?

Many thanks in advance.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/3864814001/
Graham.

[Soaring Hawk]

My choice would be a Juvenile Sharp-Shinned Hawk, because of the square corners of it's tail, and the very skinny legs~

[ravynne40]

I would like to ask why you think it is a sharp shinned as opposed to a Cooper's?
Am curious as to how one can you tell the differences when the hawk is perched/or stationary?

regards
ravynne the curious

[Soaring Hawk]

The main differences between a Cooper's and Sharp-shinned I have found that birders go by are:  

-Size:  Cooper's hawks are larger and bulkier than Sharp-shinned hawks (be careful not to get that mixed with the dimorphism in size between the males and females of the species: females are larger).

-Tails:  A Cooper's hawk has a round end to its tail, whil a sharp-shinned has a straight-edged square tail.  As the picture above in the post, all the feathers on this hawk's tail are the same length, making it a straight square edge, which for me is good evidence it's a Sharp-shinned.

-Age:  Juvenile of both species are mottled brown and streaky with strong brown streaks on white breasts.  When they get their adult plumage, they have orange breasts with more of a slate bluish gray body.  

-Prey:  I think you could assume that a Cooper's hawk would tend to go for larger prey than a sharp shinned.  

-Legs:  A Sharp-Shinned hawk, as for its name, has long skinny legs with very long toes, and a Cooper's hawk has shorter legs.

Hope it helps.  These are the easiest points you could go by for a sitting / perched hawk to identify.  Correct me if I've made any mistakes!!!

thanks!

James

[ravynne40]

Thank you for pointing those out, I am taking note as I would like to join the Hawk Watch at some point in High Park, which will be thrilling for me because I really am new when it comes to hawks and other birds of prey.

I did some reading and saw some pictures and they are so very similar, the untrained eye like mine would not be able to differentiate the differences.

once again thanks for taking the time to explain

ravynne

[The Observer]

I have only been a few times but each time the people were absolutely wonderful! Despite the fact they are trying to accomplish something (fall migration count) they are an open and patient lot who seem genuinely happy when you've learned a thing or two. Although you may feel foolish when you excitedly cry out "Over there?!" only to find out it's a pigeon or gull (I didn't do that a lot - smile); it's a wonderful feeling when you've correctly spotted and added even one to their count!

Hope you go, learn a few things and enjoy yourself thoroughly!

Thanks for the post and thanks, James, for the thorough description of the differences! I would have guessed Coopers Hawk as well!