what is this in flight Accipiter-- Ontario (1 Viewer)

[Al Kat]

Picture taken Feburary 13 2008 Just wondering if we can tell from this picture if the bird is Cooper's or Sharp-Shinned and reasons for your ID

Thanks for any help

Al Kat

 

[MLoyko]

I'd say Cooper's because an adult Sharpie has a red eye and the bird in your picture has a yellow eye. anybody feel freee to correct me if im wrong

 

[steveo]

Al Kat would you say this bird was the size of a Blue Jay or a Crow? Blue Jay=sharpie ,Crow=coops.
To me this bird looks like a Coops because of the structure, the wings don't seem to project forward although the nape looks dark it is tough to tell. I believe all adult accipiters have red eyes.

 

[Tero]

Try
http://virtualbirder.com/cgi-bin/vbirder-boilerPlate/BAAHIF?
for comparison
here is one with an eye view
http://www.naturescapes.net/portfolios/displayimage.php?pos=-5448

The eye color is not a field mark. The white near the legs may be of some help.

 

[goshawk227]

Cooper's for me. The overall very heavily-built structure, far 'stronger' then a Sharpie would appear. As for the eye, juveniles show yellow eyes, which can sometimes linger on into the second year of life. So this bird is a second year (SY) Cooper's Hawk, most likely a female.

 

[Tero]

Sorry the first link disappeared..no info there
http://a2z4birders.com/birds/index.html

 

[cavan wood]

Al Kat would you say this bird was the size of a Blue Jay or a Crow? Blue Jay=sharpie ,Crow=coops.
To me this bird looks like a Coops because of the structure, the wings don't seem to project forward although the nape looks dark it is tough to tell. I believe all adult accipiters have red eyes.

From what I've read, the nape doesn't show much when in flight because the head is held up. Agree with cooper's hawk.

Scott

 

[danehower]

It is a great photo ! it does "feel" like a coopers.

 

[Gambia14]

Hi,

A nice pic of a Coopers Hawk.

 

[Al Kat]

Looks like the votes are in and it will be a Cooper's on my records.Many thanks for the comments on the photo and the ID tips and links for me to look at

Al Kat