Hawk in maine (3 Viewers)

[widiot]

Need help with this hawk that frequents my garden in Southern Maine. I think its likely Coopers but am unsure how to rule out Sharp shinned.

 

[nartreb]

I would go for Cooper's here. The streaks on the chest are narrow and dark, like inkdrops running down a non-absorbent surface. (In sharpie, they are broader and less crisp, like inkdrops that are being absorbed into paper as they drip.) The streaks also become sparse to absent as you move down toward the legs, which is better for Coop.
You can sometimes get an ID by looking at the proportions of the head. Sharpie has a small head which makes the eye look big by comparison. This one looks more like Cooper's to me.
The best way is to look at the tail tips. You can just about see in this photo that the tip of the tail has a rounded shape when the tail is folded - this is good for Cooper's. Sharpie tail-tips usually look squared-off, or even a bit indented in the center, when the bird is at rest.

 

[widiot]

Thank you so much for that answer and for the things to look out for, it's very helpful. Looking online at various photos had me favouring Coopers but I wasnt sure what differences to look for. Your reply is much appreciated