Arizona juvenile Cooper's Hawks (1 Viewer)

I believe this is a pair of juvenile Cooper's Hawks. Taken in southern Arizona into sunrise this past weekend.

Look like Coopers... maybe Juvie Gray Hawks... considering your area.

Perhaps some others might comment.

Fraser

I vote Coop's not Gray Hawks. Besides the fact that to me (and I am NO expert) they look more like Cooper's, I just think it's way easier to find Cooper's nests, juvies, etc. than it is to find the Gray Hawks in Arizona. I think if you were out for Gray Hawks, you might be aware of it, their habitat is (or used to be) a little bit specific, sort of along rivers if IIRC? Cooper's are bold as brass, they're everywhere, we even got them in some kind of city park in Tucson with some kind of fair going on. I'm talking about the events of 11, 12 years ago so don't take my thoughts as gospel just as a possible starting off point. My visit was during the monsoon (July not August) but it was easy to see juvenile Cooper's then.

peachfront said:

I vote Coop's not Gray Hawks.... I think if you were out for Gray Hawks, you might be aware of it, their habitat is (or used to be) a little bit specific, sort of along rivers if IIRC?

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Interesting you say this... this was right beside the San Pedro River in the Riparian Preserve.

Gray Hawks have been reported here... and the report was that there were two Juvies. Here there were two Juvies but they are looking more and more like Coopers.
I was birding with Matt... here. He got better photos than I did. These shots were right into the sun in the morning.

The "reported Grays" may not have been Grays... or they might be in another tree.

Just probing the possibilities.

Thanks
Fraser

On young Gray Hawks the tail barring is quite different from young Cooper´s.
On Gray - the dark bands are narower on the inner tail wider towards the tip. Underwing coverts less marked and body more boldly marked:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/revs45/2026445193/in/set-72157601470890143/

Compare with Cooper´s here:

http://www.pbase.com/btblue/coopers_hawk

JanJ

Oho, that may be the very spot where I got the Gray Hawk for my Arizona list. Will have to find my notes...! But that was over a decade ago for me...

Photgog said:

Interesting you say this... this was right beside the San Pedro River in the Riparian Preserve.

Gray Hawks have been reported here... and the report was that there were two Juvies. Here there were two Juvies but they are looking more and more like Coopers.
I was birding with Matt... here. He got better photos than I did. These shots were right into the sun in the morning.

The "reported Grays" may not have been Grays... or they might be in another tree.

Just probing the possibilities.

Thanks
Fraser

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