There’s a fair amount of hawk activity in my neighborhood. A Sycamore tree next door is a favored roosting spot, but usually not for long. We also have a local murder of crows that quickly busy themselves with driving off any hawks spotted. Too, hawks here don’t seem to hang about when humans are sighted; they take off when I emerge with a camera.
I recently started feeding birds again (in Westminnie) after a hiatus of about 7 years. I got sick of primarily feeding grey squirrels. Recently, I thought I’d try some new locations and experiment with different types of feeders and now I have birds again. And noticed a hawk in full view watching said birds from a line in front of my picture window. I got a couple of excellent shots and now it is time to identify this fellow.
I trust we know that the Great Backyard Bird Count is in February and if we don’t know our local birds, it’s time to get better at identifying them. So here is a link to a page on Cooper versus Sharpshinned, which are likely choices after viewing the plumage of other hawks.
My guess is Cooper’s Hawk–comment if you think I’m wrong please!
1. Looks like a rounded tail.
2. Larger than a Jay
3. The cap of head feathers has a ruffled, raised look
4. Hanging out by birdfeeder (typical behavior)
5. Shape of body looks more Cooperesque (lower center of gravity).
Since I can’t see the front and missed flight pattern identifiers, this is all I have to go on.
Cooper or Sharp Shin?
