Thanks to all who participated in my hawk identification exercise.
The summary of the results follows. If you want to look at the
pictures again they are still available at:
http://ahart.homeip.net/hawkid.html
There were 22 participants.
The large majority identified the hawk as an immature Cooper's Hawk.
Here is how the 22 participants voted:
16 - Definite Immature Cooper's
04 - Probable Immature Cooper's
01 - Probable Immature Sharp-shinned
01 - Probable Immature Red-shouldered
Reasons given for Cooper's Hawk Identification
(The number indicates how many people mentioned it)
09 - Size
08 - Eyes forward towards beak instead of centered
08 - Distinct and narrow breast streaks
06 - Breast streaking does not extend onto belly
05 - Head shape, square head, flat head
03 - Legs & feet appear to be thick and substantial
02 - Light patch on nape contrasting with darker cheek
02 - Large head
02 - Length of neck
01 - Broad-chested and big-bodied
01 - Length of tail
01 - Tawny color of the head
01 - Supercillium not long and extensive
01 - Dark cheek patch extending into the neck
01 - Tail seems curved with more white or light band on the end
Reasons given for Sharp-shinned Hawk Identification
01 - Shorter tail relative to the body
01 - Smaller head
Reasons given for Red-shouldered Hawk Identification
01 - Size
01 - Markings; head; tail
01 - The way it is sitting on the birdbath
Some references mentioned by the participants:
Clark/Wheeler book "A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors"
Second Edition of Hawks of North America Peterson Field Guide
Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding
National Geographic Field Guide
Feeder Watch Tricky Bird ID Tips
http://birds.cornell.edu/PFW/AboutBirdsandFeeding/accipiterIDtable.htm
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.