Cooper's or Goshawk on a terrible photo? - Pennsylvania (USA), 7 April (1 Viewer)

[birdmeister]

Hello folks,

I was doing some migration watching yesterday and saw several Accipiters pass by. One initially caught my attention as a bulky bird, giving a near-Red-shouldered Hawk impression while one a glide. Nearly all the previous Goshawks I've seen have reminded me of Red-shoulders. The bird circled with a clear adult Cooper's Hawk for a minute or so, before both headed north.

I wish I had taken photos of the Cooper's to provide a comparison of shape at that distance.

Do any of you see Goshawk characteristics in these distant, grainy photos? If anything, I thought this had broader wings and lacked the lankiness of Cooper's.

Given that I couldn't make up my mind in the field, and the bird looked only a bit larger than the soaring Cooper's it was with, I'm inclined to leave this as an immature Cooper's, maybe a large female.

 

[Butty]

I don't see anything of northern goshawk in these photos. Ignoring any size comparisons, the stubby head, short body and square-cornered tail make me think most of sharp-shinned hawk.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Given that I couldn't make up my mind in the field, and the bird looked only a bit larger than the soaring Cooper's it was with, I'm inclined to leave this as an immature Cooper's, maybe a large female.

I am not sure it’s identifiable for sure tbh. I agree it looks broadwinged and bulky - the fact it was larger than the Coopers would rule out a Sharp-shinned however, even if it was female Sharpie. I would say an imm female Coop is the most likely, it’s not a buteo or Gos imo.

 

[birdmeister]

Thanks both. After loading the photos, I think the 3rd one is fairly normal for Cooper's. I appreciate the feedback as usual!