Coldstream, B.C. Canada January 8, 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Loutsy]

I'm unsure which it is - a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk. My guess is Sharp Shinned. This was spotted on Jan 8/24 - Coldstream, B.C. Canada. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Ruff-Leg]

This is a tough one, for even with your excellent pictures! With its relatively long neck, more forward eye placement, paler nape, and heavy feet, I lean towards Cooper's. Tail length and amount of (worn) white at the tip is consistent with Coop.

HOWEVER, this bird is north of the usual range of Coops - that's what makes it tough. I'd love to have a better sense of scale.

 

[D Halas]

It's definitely a Cooper's Hawk, and according to eBird it's perfectly within its usual range. In fact, according to the bar charts for North Okanagan, they're more common in the Coldstream area in the winter than Sharp-shinned Hawks.

 

[Butty]

Pale sides to hindneck + crown substantially darker than mantle = Cooper's hawk.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

It's definitely a Cooper's Hawk, and according to eBird it's perfectly within its usual range. In fact, according to the bar charts for North Okanagan, they're more common in the Coldstream area in the winter than Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Thanks, D. I had not checked the eBird reports.