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Project Noah Nature School
Accipiter striatus
This juvenile has mottled brown upperparts and yellowish eyes. If underparts were visible, they would be characterized by wide, brown streaks.
Deep coniferous forests and mixed hardwood-conifer woodlands all across North America.
I first posted this as a juvenile Cooper's Hawk but I was informed by Project Noah member, Liam, that it is more likely a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk. I am quite happy about this because that makes this a sure lifer for me. Sharpies are not seen often at the Ridgefield NWR in southwest Washington state. Thanks to Liam for correcting the ID on this bird!
Beautiful sharpie!! Great photo! Project Noah has recently increased the boundaries of the mission "Raptors of Colorado" to include all of North America, and is now called (drumroll please!) "Raptors of North America". I would love it if you would consider adding this and any other raptor spottings (birds of prey) to the following: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8627...
Thank you!
I often use this link here to differentiate the two species:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBi...
Thanks everyone for your comments! And thanks Liam for your ID on this bird. Can you explain the difference in eye positioning between the Sharpie and the Cooper's? I'm learning something new everyday!
The two species are very hard to distinguish, but this is a classic Sharpie based on eye positioning, even tail feathers, and small size.
Spotted on Dec 16, 2011
Submitted on Dec 28, 2011
+1
