Sharp-shinned/Cooper's? Monterey, CA 13 May 2023 (1 Viewer)

[jmtully]

Bird was on our fence yesterday morning. We have 4 feeders up, have for months, and this is the first time we've had a predator come in that we've seen.
I lean towards immature Sharp-shinned (but am not sure) based on following:
-Streaks on chest appear more coarse than thin
-Head and neck seem 'stubby' rather than long
-We regularly see (large) California quail in the same spot and this didn't seem much bigger.

But: based on Sibley's Cooper's would be more likely to perch in the open like that, and I know size is a bad criteria to work off of.

My wife got a better look at it as it flew off and the tail pattern could have been either

I know that's not a lot to go on, and sadly this is the only picture I have (iPhone, through a window).

Thanks.

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

The photo is blurry, but I would agree with you on Sharp-shinned based on the shape of the head.

 

[Butty]

Looks rather like sharp-shinned hawk - small head, small bill, blobby underparts - but I wouldn't identify it from this photo.

 

[KC Foggin]

Sharpy for me.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Agree with Butty. For life-list or science (eBird?) I would not ID from this pic. It's hard enough with good views/pics.
For fun or out of curiosity, yes, head looks Sharpie. Sort of kind of maybe perhaps ;-)

 

[jmtully]

Thanks all. Appreciate the help here on the classic sharpie/cooper's question.
I'll leave it as it is in eBird - "Sharp-shinned/Cooper's".