BlueJay Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 Seen about 2 weeks ago in central NC. I have more shots if needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed hogg Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 I believe that is a Cooper's Hawk. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 37 minutes ago, Ed hogg said: I believe that is a Cooper's Hawk. I could be wrong, but this looks more like a sharp-shinned hawk. The rounded head, grayish and not contrasting feathers on the nape, and the relatively thin legs look like sharp-shinned. https://www.audubon.org/news/a-beginners-guide-iding-coopers-and-sharp-shinned-hawks This helpful article is by my favorite author and birder ever: Nicholas Lund! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed hogg Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 (edited) You probably are right, it just seemed to have a squared head and the eye didn't look right. Macaulay Library ML316624071 Edited July 9, 2021 by Ed hogg 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 Those fence pickets are 3.5" wide. This bird is about 9" or 10" long. It also looks somewhat bug-eyed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 The head is really all you need to identify this as a Cooper's. The flat top of the head is even with the top of the bill and the eyes are small and "mean looking" and close to the bill. The body is bulky and the feet are still too robust for a Sharpie. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 Every time I think I have these two down ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim W Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 22 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: Those fence pickets are 3.5" wide. This bird is about 9" or 10" long. It also looks somewhat bug-eyed. Charlie, did you account for the tail extending below the feet (behind the fence)? Guesstimating how far down the tail extends, I'm measuring 14-15" (much better for Cooper's). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 22 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: The head is really all you need to identify this as a Cooper's. The flat top of the head is even with the top of the bill and the eyes are small and "mean looking" and close to the bill. The body is bulky and the feet are still too robust for a Sharpie. These hawks give me so much trouble. Really, it's hard without the tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 1 minute ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: These hawks give me so much trouble. Really, it's hard without the tail. Head shape, head pattern, and how the bill meets the head are sufficient to ID this as a Coop. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 4 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: These hawks give me so much trouble. Really, it's hard without the tail. The more you look at them the easier it is to recognize the different shapes/proportions. Some more intermediate birds are more difficult, and I still have trouble with them in flight. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Just now, The Bird Nuts said: The more you look at them the easier it is to recognize the different shapes/proportions. Some more intermediate birds are more difficult, and I still have trouble with them in flight. Thanks, I feel a little stupid. Then again, I don't have much experience with hawks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Thanks, I feel a little stupid. Then again, I don't have much experience with hawks. Visit a hawkwatch at the height of the the season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 1 minute ago, Tony Leukering said: Visit a hawkwatch at the height of the the season. I remember when I visited a hawkwatch when I was younger...Then I realized it was a nighthawkwatch! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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