Cooper's hawk or Sharp-shinned hawk? (1 Viewer)

K

kalikuma

Member

• Aug 31, 2020

• #1

Hi birders,
I'd like some help ID'ing a hawk. I got some blurry photos of it, and I'm trying to figure out if it's a Cooper's hawk or a sharp-shinned hawk. I spotted this bird at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Washington State. Thank you!

 

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Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Aug 31, 2020

• #2

Skinny looking thing, including the tail, Sharpie for me.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Aug 31, 2020

• #3

I think it's a Cooper's but not entirely sure.

 

kevinsl06

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2020

• #4

Definitely a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Sep 1, 2020

• #5

It's a Cooper's (flat, blocky head, top of beak is even with top of head, eyes toward front of head, tubular body, long tail).

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Sep 1, 2020

• #6

The Bird Nuts said:

It's a Cooper's (flat, blocky head, top of beak is even with top of head, eyes toward front of head, tubular body, long tail).

Click to expand...

Notched tail?

 

B

birdmeister

Well-known member

• Sep 1, 2020

• #7

I'm for Cooper's, too. I can see how the tail looks notched in the final image, but I'm seeing a large, bulky head like The Bird Nuts noted. Also, the rich tawny tones on the head contrast against the rest of the upperparts, a good mark for Cooper's.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Sep 1, 2020

• #8

andyadcock said:

Notched tail?

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No, I meant long tail. Sharp-shinneds have slightly shorter tails. I almost never pay attention to the tip of the tail as feathers can be lost, worn, and misplaced at any time.

 

kevinsl06

Well-known member

• Sep 1, 2020

• #9

kevinsl06 said:

Definitely a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

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Upon second look The Bird Nuts is right. Sorry.

 

K

kalikuma

Member

• Sep 1, 2020

• #10

Thank you, everyone! I know I didn't give you the best quality photos to work with here, so I appreciate all of your inferences. Cooper's hawks are more common in this specific area I was in but the birder I ran into who was watching the hawk was sure it was a sharp-shinned hawk.

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Sep 2, 2020

• #11

The Bird Nuts said:

It's a Cooper's (flat, blocky head, top of beak is even with top of head, eyes toward front of head, tubular body, long tail).

Click to expand...

Agreed