Joyce is correct. Fortunately, that one shot with the tail flared shows a
definitive character that we all can 'hang our hat on'. With Cooper's, the
outermost tail feather is roughly a centimeter shorter than the innermost,
while in Sharp-shinned they are roughly the same length. The problem with
this character is that unless the tail is completely flared, it is usually
difficult to see since the outer tail feathers can be underneath or between
other tail feathers. You also have to take the possibility of wear or molt
into consideration.
In the perched pictures, we can see this is a big-headed Accip, with
forward eye, and somewhat bulky appearance, all suggestive of Cooper's.
The problem with those type of characters though is that they are
based largely off of experience and somewhat subjective. This bird being a
juvenile/sub-adult, we cannot feel confident using more objective
characters such as nape/cap color to assist in the id.
Brainard made a post a few weeks back about how hard the id on these can
actually be and that we shouldn't be afraid to call some
Cooper's/Sharp-shinned. I, in fact, was forwarded a series of really nice
photos of an adult Accip facing the camera the other day, and the pictures
were just too ambiguous for me to make a call without a queasy feeling.
Mark
Mark Monroe
Louisville, KY
On Sun, Feb 13, 2022 at 11:30 AM joyce <joycefry1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Not an expert, but from the picture of the hawk in flight, looking at her
tail being more rounded, I’m guessing it’s a Cooper’s hawk. It looks like
the one hanging out at our place in Northern Franklin Co. We’ve decided on
Cooper’s.
Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
Windows
*From: *ME <savealifespayneuter@xxxxxxxxx>
*Sent: *Sunday, February 13, 2022 10:55 AM
*To: *BirdKY <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject: *[birdky] Morning Visitor - need help identifying
Morning visitor. Need help identifying? Sorry, the pictures aren't great
but it was the best I could do through the window. 2 more photo's to
follow, wouldn't allow me to send all 4 together.
Thanks so much.
Tracy
Midway, KY
Woodford County
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euthanized in United States shelters. Loving pets that died because there
weren't enough homes. Save lives, spay, neuter!"*
*"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and
gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of
humans."
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