New Bird On The Block (1 Viewer)

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billjackson

New member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #1

Hello Everyone!

I am not a big bird watcher but yesterday, 04-06-18, a bird landed in my yard in Chicago that I don't ever recall seeing before.

Do any of you know what it is?

Thanks for any help you can be.

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #2

It’s a hawk, a young Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s. They look very similar to one another, differing mainly in size. From the photo, I’m not sure which one yours is

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Apr 7, 2018

• #3

fugl said:

It’s a hawk, a young Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s. They look very similar to one another, differing mainly in size. From the photo, I’m not sure which one yours is

Click to expand...

I agree, isn't the very thin tarsi better for SSH ?

 

B

billjackson

New member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #4

The tail had several fairly wide stripes or bands that were pretty big and ran across rather than lengthwise.

Is this normal in my area? As I mentioned, I have never seen one before.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #5

billjackson said:

The tail had several fairly wide stripes or bands that were pretty big and ran across rather than lengthwise.

Is this normal in my area? As I mentioned, I have never seen one before.

Click to expand...

Yes, both species have barred tails as per your description.

Is the bird standing on prey of some sort? Hard to be sure from the photo.

And I agree with Schollaert about the thinness of the legs and the likelihood therefore that the hawk is a Sharp-shinned rather than a Cooper’s

 

Last edited: Apr 7, 2018

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billjackson

New member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #6

fugl said:

Yes, both species have barred tails as per your description.

Is the bird standing on prey of some sort? Hard to be sure from the photo.

And I agree with Schollaert about the thinness of the legs and the likelihood therefore that the hawk is a Sharp-shinned rather than a Cooper’s

Click to expand...

No. That was one of the things that seemed unusual. He was just standing there bending over and pecking at the ground. I'm used to seeing robins do this but his much longer legs changed the appearance completely.

 

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billjackson

New member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #7

fugl said:

Is the bird standing on prey of some sort?

Click to expand...

I just went out and checked. There are feathers all over the place and not much else.

Thanks for the help.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Apr 7, 2018

• #8

billjackson said:

I just went out and checked. There are feathers all over the place and not much else.

Click to expand...

Looks like the prey was avian, then—Sharpies are small bird specialists—which the hawk would killed and plucked (and maybe partially eaten) on the spot before flying off with whatever remained of the carcass for consumption elsewhere.

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Apr 7, 2018

• #9

I also go with Sharpie.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Apr 7, 2018

• #10

Sharpie for me too.