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Accipiter cooperii
This hawk was the smallest individual I have seen in the backyard, probably half to 3 quarters of the adult size. It seems to be an immature bird.
Along an inland fresh-water canal
I am thinking red-shouldered or Coopers. The tail stripes are wider that I have seen on many hawks here.
Spotted on Mar 12, 2014
Submitted on Mar 16, 2014
8 Comments
Because of its big head, very long tail w/ white tip, and thin dark brown breast streaking which are field marks for a Cooper's hawk, along with the fact that I have mature Cooper's hawks in my backyard but have never seen a Sharp Shinned, I am inclined to go with Cooper's.
To me, it looks like a Sharp-shinned.
Hmm... I see. I would wait to see what others may say.
I added a third photo that is quite blurry but shows more of the front of the bird. I was thinking sharp shinned because of the tail shape but this last photo make me think maybe Cooper's. I'm really confused!
Hehe that's the same link I attached above. :)
Rosa, i removed my comment. Do not want to confuse things.
Here is a good link.
http://static.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/Abou...
Maybe, but it said the pale nape can appear on both juvenile Cooper's and Sharp-shinned. It is definitely a juvenile.
For how small it sounds, it may be a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Definitely look at the link because it also looks like a Cooper's Hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawks are smaller, have more of a squared-end tail and a more prominent "white eyebrow". Either way that is an awesome sighting and photo!