ID Request - North Carolina USA - unknown hawk (1 Viewer)

[erisian.pope]

Someone else posted these on social media and a couple of us have been trying to ID the hawk. I'm leaning towards Red Tailed (light adult western morph in my Sibley's) due to the hint of a red tail, but others are suggesting large Cooper's or Red Shouldered.

to me the head-to-nape-to-breast doesn't show much color variation, whereas pics I see of Cooper's the head is strikingly gray while the nape is contrastingly pale.

I'm also not seeing the red shoulder for red-shouldered hawk. but I'm super uncertain on this species in general.

can anyone help confirm?

thanks in advance!!

 

[aeshna5]

A Cooper's Hawk for me; if it seemed particularly large then a female.

 

[connorco]

Definitely an Accipiter. Shape alone should point towards coopers, which is what it is.

 

[Seanbirds]

A Cooper's Hawk for me; if it seemed particularly large then a female.

Definitely an Accipiter. Shape alone should point towards coopers, which is what it is.

Agreed.

 

[erisian.pope]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[KC Foggin]

Four great Images of this Cooper’s Hawk