Need help identifying regular backyard visitor (1 Viewer)

L

lmpickell

New member

• Feb 11, 2006

• #1

Hi. I am new to this org but was directed here by a friend in hopes of identifying a backyard visitor (here in Southern California). Neighbors' guesses range from juvenile Cooper's Hawk to Perigrine Falcon. Can anyone tell us for sure? His/her favorite hobby seems to be chasing sparrows.

Thanks!

 

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Marmot

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2006

• #2

Hi impickell,

Welcome to Birdforum.

As I am from the UK this is a guess that it could be a Sharp shinned or a Coopers Hawk, but I will most likely be proved wrong. I have trouble identifying the ones in the UK when they are in flight.

 

T

Thayeri

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2006

• #3

Hello Impickell and welcome!

My vote is for adult female Cooper's Hawk, likely at least three years old.

Note the long tail with shorter outer tail feathers, the large size of the head, feet and legs, the flattish looking head with the dark cap, the smallish eyes that are forward in the head, all combine to say Cooper's Hawk.

The dark gray colored upperparts, and the nape that is pale gray only in the rear in combination with the rufous auriculars tell us it is an adult female.

The relatively deep color of the eyes tell us it is likely an older bird.

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2006

• #4

Clinch!
JanJ

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2006

• #5

And in the air.

http://www.wildbirdgallery.com/images/birds/accipiter_cooperii/cooperii.htm
JanJ

 

N

NJsnakeMan

Member

• Feb 12, 2006

• #6

My vote is on Cooper's Hawk

 

jcwings

Well-known member

• Feb 12, 2006

• #7

Cooper's Hawk. From the Peterson Guide- "Hawks" by Clark and Wheeler... "Long tail has a rounded tip with a wide white terminal band."

This is a good mark to look for on perched accipiter hawks.

 

C

cavan wood

Well-known member

• Feb 12, 2006

• #8

I agree with cooper's for the reasons above, but there doesn't appear to be a white terminal band on the tail. Do certain individuals lack this trait, or am I just not seeing it in these photos?

Scott

 

Katy Penland

Well-known member

• Feb 12, 2006

• #9

The first photo shows it pretty well even if it's in shadow. :t:

 

D

dhasmith

Robot Driver

• Feb 12, 2006

• #10

lmpickell said:

Hi. I am new to this org but was directed here by a friend in hopes of identifying a backyard visitor (here in Southern California). Neighbors' guesses range from juvenile Cooper's Hawk to Perigrine Falcon. Can anyone tell us for sure? His/her favorite hobby seems to be chasing sparrows.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

It is a cooper, good pictures.