Inastrangeland

Greater for sure. Nice pics.

I think greater too. Looks like big water which tends to have greaters more than Lessers.

While the first pic is lacking the peak on the back of the head, I'm leaning lesser. The bill looks thin, and there are no cheeks. The eye position and relative size also have me thinking lesser. I second the second pic being lesser.

Yep, agreed with all, and agree with certainty. While there is a bit of a point on #2, the bill and cheeks are huge, which tells me greater.

I need to ask what it is feeding on? Sweet potato? Just curious....always looking for a winter food besides suet.

Agreed with long-billed. The feathers on the wings have Buffy edges that travel all the way up the feather...short-billed have the buffy area limited to the tips. ...that's my tell anyways. Mike

Yep...lesser. Looks like a textbook peak on the back of the head.

What shape is the bird? Robin like? Heron like? What about size?

If you live near water, I'd guess it was a common gallinule.

I'd say short billed. The Buffy tips go up the sides of the feather. In long billed, the Buffy colour is limited to the tips.

White tip of tail is relatively broad, and rounded. It also "seems" chunky, which has me leaning Cooper's.

Another for lesser: very pronounced peak on top of the head, and proportions have a "smaller" feel.

Not a deal breaker in my opinion. They still look like greater to me.

Leaning long-billed. The buffy tips of the feathers are broad, and limited to the tips. The buffy tips on short-billed extend up the sides of the feather.

Agree with greater. I know it looks like there's a little peak on top of the head, but IMHO, the proportions and head shape, not to mention being out on big water like Nipissing, have me leaning greater. I've also heard that the sheen thing should not be used as a reliable field mark...too many other variables like angle of sun, wetness, etc. Always looking to learn more about this common debate topic though........ Mike

Agreed with long-billed. In the second one, the Buffy tips are broad, and limited to the tips of the feathers. In Short billed, the Buffy "tips" extend up the side of the feather too. Not sure about the first pic. Mike

Perfect. Thanks. Great name by the way. Militia? Road hockey? Nope! Birding! Well played.

I believe Melierax is suggesting it is Neotropic.

Great. Thanks everyone. It's funny, it's one of the most common debates (sharpie vs. Coop), but I only bat a bit over .500. Thanks again.

Agree with Lessers in 1)

Fair enough. Ok, thanks.

...and sorry.....Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...taken today.

Saw this one in March in Cuba. We get lots of Double Crested Cormorants here in Ottawa, and initially it's what I thought it was....but there's just something that's different about it that I can't put my finger on. I know Neotropic Cormorants are found in Cuba as well, so I'm looking for anyone that might be able to confirm if this is either one of those. Thanks, Mike

Pretty sure this is a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. A bit bigger than a Jay, but smaller than a crow. Not really a "blocky" head. Gives the bug-eyed impression. Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance! Mike

Agreed. The colour looks like other female bluebills, but the peaked head sets it apart as a Ring-necked.