I think Cooper's hawk is actually the likely correct identification.
Accipiters do have a pale 'rump' appearance when they flare their undertail
coverts that frequently has them misidentified as harriers.
The bigger clue is it flew out of your pine tree, not a place a harrier
would be likely sitting.
Without a picture it's just speculation, but I would wager on Accipiter,
probably Cooper's based on 'crow-sized' and frequency.
Mark
Mark Monroe
Louisville, KY
On Sun, Jan 8, 2023 at 11:24 AM Jr Mikulec <jrmikulec@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sounds like a male Northern Harrier! Nice description.
On Jan 8, 2023, at 11:16 AM, Robin <robin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I was exiting my car when a hawk flew out of our pine tree. It's back was
grey and it was about the size of a small crow. The only other
distinguishing feature I noticed was a white spot at the top of it's tail
similar to what you see on a Northern Flicker as it flies away. I thought
at first maybe a Merlin or a Cooper's Hawk but when I searched the internet
neither had the white spot. Do any of you know what I may have seen?
Thanks,
Robin Work
Oldham County
