Another Rapture - USA (Arizona) (1 Viewer)

[BruceH]

I tried matching this one to the views in my book, but most of the views in the book are of the bottom of the bird, not the back.

What items are key to the ID when you only have a view of the back? I suspect the tail is one item, but I do not have anything in the book to compare with.

This guy was photographed the other day in the north part of Tucson, Arizona. The area is mixed residential and desert.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk, I lean towards Cooper's.

 

[Rapala]

You can tell all Accipiters by their long tail. The main difference between a Coopers and a Sharp-Shined is that a Coopers has a slightly rounded tail, while a Sharpie's is more square-cut. I agree with Valery that your bird is a Coopers.

 

[BruceH]

I appreciate the help on the ID.

I've done some more reading and one comment said the Cooper has a larger head in relation to the body than the Sharp-Shinned. This bird does appear to have a large head so that is one more item consistent with it being a Cooper.

 

[cavan wood]

This bird has a light nape and a fairly wide wide tip on the tail, so I agree with cooper's.

Scott

 

[Simon Wates]

Hail the holy Cooper's hawk:-O