Coopers Hawk, Goshawk? I dont know!!!!!! (1 Viewer)

[cliffm]

Yellow eyes and feet, short rounded tail > can someone tell me what it is > probably between 18" an 24" judging by the nut casings and visual estimate. Tx, Cliff

Sorry all, this bird was sen in South Western Virginia, Location Smith Mountain Lake, on Monday April 30 2007

 

[JANJ]

Hi Cliff.

If you look at this Accipiter - in this case a Cooper´s Hawk:

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/57068974

you will see that the tail is quite obviously longer and the wing tip falls very much shorter on the tail. In your bird the wing tip is much closer to the tail tip and together with pattern of the plumage this tells you that you have a Buteo - a Red-tailed Hawk.

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/57885493

If we turn the Cooper´s around you can see that the breats pattern is quite different from that of your bird which looks more like this:

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/69125921

and not like a band over the breast like in your bird, and this:

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/55372857

Adult and younger adults Red-tailed has a reddish rufous tail and dark eye (paler in younger adults)

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/53016457

Adult Cooper´s Hawh:

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/53282263

JanJ

 

[AlexC]

Agree with a young Red-tailed Hawk, not an Accipiter. Note the tail pattern.

 

[steveo]

You can also sort of see the start of the dark belly band of a red tail.

 

[cliffm]

Tx for your replies, JanJ. You did a great job of showing the differances between these Hawks. Cant get that from a feild guide. Thanks to all for the input!!!! Cliff