What kind of hawk? (Backyard in Northern California) (1 Viewer)

[Crow19]

From looking over my books I suspect this is a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Or perhaps a Cooper's Hawk? It looked to be around the same size as a crow...maybe smaller but hard to say without direct comparison. Landed in my backyard and helped itself to some water. The other birds were making a LOT of noise. This was the first hawk I've seen in my yard.

 

[aeshna5]

I would say Cooper's Hawk if about the size of a Crow. The dark capped look would support that though my first reaction was the legs looked a bit thin for it.

 

[birdmeister]

Cooper's for me, too. Apparently the gray cheeks are unique to male Cooper's and not seen in Sharp-shinned or female Coops.

 

[AveryBartels]

I would say Cooper's Hawk if about the size of a Crow. The dark capped look would support that though my first reaction was the legs looked a bit thin for it.

One thing to keep in mind with regards to birds legs is that, in most species, they are kind of "flattened" - so look much thicker side on and thinner front on (as in these photos).

Agreed with others for Cooper's. The pronounced brow, giving it a "fierce" expression is another good field mark to rule out Sharp-shinned.

 

[Crow19]

Thanks everyone for the pointers!

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm going with a Sharpie with those thin legs in the images.

 

[lou salomon]

I'm going with a Sharpie with those thin legs in the images.

KC, note what Avery Bartels wrote in post 4 about the leg thickness in front view.. this together with the capped appearance and apparently pale nape make it an adult Cooper's Hawk.

 

[KC Foggin]

Okay, thanks Lou!