Hi:
Funny that such a fine set of photos leaves so few field marks available.
The legs look thick rather than sharp-shinned to me. Plus the full shot
of the bird with its head up shows a feature I use that is very useful.
Sharp-shinned Hawks have a body shape that is more like a Merlin than a
hawk. Here is how I imagine a Sharp-shinned Hawk is built: Take a
triangular wedge of cheese and stick a set of wings and long legs on it, So
it is broad shouldered and narrow at waist. Now how do you build a
Cooper's ? Take an empty paper towel roll and make it bulge in the middle,
stick a set of wings and long legs on it and set it free. .
It is amazing how little bulk there is to these birds, they are nothing but
a small body with nasty talons and very maneuverable set of wings and tail.
This does not always work if the Sharpie is hunched down, but more often or
not a front view is all you need. The lack of any shoulders on this bird,
lengthy body with that mid bulge looks like Cooper's.
Bob Archer
PDX
On Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 1:21 AM Robert O'Brien <baro@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Mike. This is a fine photo to post and a very interesting bird.
Ironically many of the best accipiter field marks are not visible. I
believe it is a Cooper's Hawk but others more experienced
than I might reply. Welcome to the list Bob O'Brien Carver Oregon
On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Mike Elliott <mikeelliott503@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello. New to this list and I apologize in advance if this is not the
purpose of the list. I'm also a relatively new birder (going on 2+
years). Had this hawk land right outside our kitchen window in SW Portland
a couple days ago. I think it's a Coopers Hawk (especially from the head
markings) but it seemed a little small so thought it might be a
sharp-shinned. Would appreciate confirmation. And loving the listserv
after just a few days :-)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/187624001@N08/shares/vKRJc0
