Pennsylvania,USA:Need Backyard Hawk ID (1 Viewer)

R

rwpierce

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #1

I took some quick photos out of my kitchen window this afternoon of this hawk perching near my bird feeders. I did not get any look at the front of the bird, but I managed to get a somewhat close-up of the tail feathers and an overall of the whole bird. It has that orangey/rusty head with pale yellow eyes, but I see no white on the bottom of the tail feathers to trust a Cooper's ID. The upper wings also have a slight reddish cast. I am wondering if it is an immature Red-shouldered Hawk. I have had the adult Red-shouldered in the neighborhood recently.
Any ID help or discussion would be appreciated and instructional.
Thanks in advance.

 

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Peter C.

...just zis guy, you know?

• Mar 31, 2015

• #2

Hi rwpierce,

Not Red-shouldered, at least - they have much narrower light bands in the tail, and characteristic bands in the secondaries (more obvious in adults, but still visable in second-years like this). I think it's a second-year Broad-winged, which has a tail like this, and shows some rufous edging in the shoulder. Kind of surprised to see that there's one in PA already, but then, things are weird this winter - despite the extreme cold, we've already recorded a Purple Martin in Ontario this spring (though I'm sure it didn't stay long).

Peter

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Mar 31, 2015

• #3

It's definitely an Accipiter.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #4

Agree, young Sharpie (which would be my guess) or Coop.

 

Reuven_M

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #5

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Definitely not a Buteo of any variety

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #6

For sure an Accipiter and best choice is Sharp-shinned Hawk. Compare with a Buteo, BWH below.

JanJ

 

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Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Mar 31, 2015

• #7

Definitely an accip. I lean sharpie, too.

 

Peter C.

...just zis guy, you know?

• Mar 31, 2015

• #8

Wow. I be blowed. Shortest-tailed accipter in the history of North American birds, I'm sure.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #9

I think it is a juv. Coopers. Medium orangeish colored iris. If I could see a bluish-gray nape and a darker crown I would go for Sharp-shin.

Its tail is partially spread and looks wider and shorter than we normally see them.

Bob

 

Last edited: Mar 31, 2015

K

Kammerdiner

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #10

Juv. Sharpie for me. Head shape, rufous across back and neck, barely a hint of white on the tail, looks to be quite small compared to the lichens, etc.

 

R

rwpierce

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #11

I went out to the tree where this bird was perched and measured the branch.
The branch measures 3 inches.
With that knowledge, this bird is about 11 inches long, so that would put it more in the Sharp-shinned ID than Cooper's.
Does this make sense to you all???

 

RJP

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #12

rwpierce said:

I went out to the tree where this bird was perched and measured the branch.
The branch measures 3 inches.
With that knowledge, this bird is about 11 inches long, so that would put it more in the Sharp-shinned ID than Cooper's.
Does this make sense to you all???

Click to expand...

It certainly does.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #13

Info from Wheelers has Male Coopers at 14-16 inches long. Female Sharp-shins at 11-13 inches long. "Males are considerably smaller than females. MALE.-- Length: 9-11 in."

If you are sure about the measurement it would be a Sharp-shin.

Bob

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Mar 31, 2015

• #14

Yep, those dimensions make it a sharpie for sure.