I don't pretend to be an expert on hawks and frequently struggle with hawk
IDs.
The 3 things I learned (from Marilyn W.) about distinguishing Cooper's from
Sharp-shined are:
1. Tail is more rounded in Cooper's; squared off in Sharp-shined.
2. In Cooper's, the leading edge of the wings (in flight) are straight;
with Sharp-shinned the leading edge is more of a "V" shape. Or if not "V",
the outer edge of the leading edge pushed forward.
3. Head of Cooper's is larger and more proportional; head in Sharp-shined
seems too small for the body.
The first 2 are best used when they are flying, rather than perched.
Anyway, I agree with Jay's more sophisticated analysis. And the head seems
proportional to the body.
Just my 2 cents. I await an expert.
Tom
On Fri, Jan 13, 2017 at 3:18 PM, Jay Wherley <jrw@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'll take a stab at it - and am happy to learn more if wrong, which won't
be first time! :)
see attached.
Note 3 points described below. (In order of what convinces me).
1) Outer tail feathers shorter than inner. Sharp-shinned would have all
tail feathers approximately same length.
2) Looks like dark head marking is a "cap", and possibly not connected to
nape/neck. (Which a Sharp-shinned would have).
3) Eye closer to beak than center of head. (Sharp-shinned eye looks more
like center of head location)
so I think Coopers.
p.s. Thankful for the great pictures showing all the detail!
Jay Wherley
Asheville
On 1/13/17 2:09 PM, james poling wrote:
I think that this Accipiter is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. It was smaller thanmy experience with Cooper's, and has a grayish cap and a narrow white tail
tip. Please help me learn more
details of the difference between Sharpies and Coopers. Picture taken inBlack Mountain, NC
