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Cooper's Hawk? (1 Viewer)

sadrake

Member
Hi
Found this on my porch June 26th, 2020. I'm new to birding and have turned our third floor apartment porch into what I hope is helpful for birds. Apologies for the photo quality. Sighting in Houston, Texas. Is this bird a Cooper's Hawk?
https://imgur.com/Z3B0xJi
 
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To my eye this is not an Accipiter species, accepting that the image is less than perfect (somewhat), I’m wondering if Red-shouldered Hawk might fit the bill....or indeed any other part of the anatomy?

Cheers
 
I don't see any markings on it that Red-shouldered Hawks would have. Its scapular pattern looks more like that of a Red-tailed Hawk.

Bob
 
I compared the above photo to photo's of perched Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks in my copy of Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America.

I still think it is a RTH.

Its tail is Dark and solidly marked like one would see on Western Calurus Red-tailed Hawks which are common throughout Texas. It's scapulars are blotched like a RTH and do not show any partial barring that would be seen on a RSH.

Bob
 
The original pic does scream Red-shouldered to me either. I'd like to see any other pics there may be... but I would say Red-tailed Hawk as well or even possibly an immature Swainson's(as they have shorter wings than adults...although would be a very strange spot for one)
 
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... looking in guide books as per this other thread doesn’t always provide the answer - is this a RT too? ;)
https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=219622

To me, looking at the OP initially, it didn’t strike me as having broad back and shoulders of an RT but the narrower body of a RS and I am not sure how much can be determined on plumage with a dark image through glass and according to Huston Audubon is only an occasional breeder. Also not as common as RS this time of year https://houstonaudubon.org/birding/gallery/red-tailed-hawk.html but I’m open to persuasion (or not inclined to argue ;))
 
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Between the tips of the wing I can see what looks like a large white tail stripe, which is above an even wider black tail-tip. So, Red-shoulder.
 
I agree it's tough to pick out slam-dunk ID points for either species, but I'd guess Red-shouldered based on habitat. Red-shouldered is more likely to perch on a deck railing than Red-tailed, in my experience. Too bad they don't always follow the rules.
 
Between the tips of the wing I can see what looks like a large white tail stripe, which is above an even wider black tail-tip. So, Red-shoulder.

Can you(or someone else) lighten the photo... I can’t really make out too much on the tail. But the more I am looking at this pic... I am seeing it most likely being a Red-shouldered.
 
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