Plymouth 2 MN, USA, July (1 Viewer)

[oleic]

Hi

Some ideas?

thanks

 

[Nutcracker]

1 - House Finch, female (left) & male
2 - pass
3 - Downy Woodpecker

 

[Microtus]

1 House Finch
2 Sharp-shinned Hawk?
3 Downy Woodpecker

 

[Jim Lundberg]

2 - Merlin?

 

[AidenD]

Agree with Microtus.

 

[Jim Lundberg]

2 - Hard to say and lightening the photo didn't help, but from what I can see, tail seems too short and wings too sharp for accipiter.

 

[oleic]

The raptor i will let unidentified...
Thanks

 

[Tero]

Harriers will occasionally give a pointy winged appearance:
http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/images/northern-harrier-14.jpg

 

[Jim Lundberg]

Harriers will occasionally give a pointy winged appearance:
http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/images/northern-harrier-14.jpg

The underside wing coloration isn't correct.

 

[Dancat]

First impression on #2 said accipiter to me. Fwiw I'd say Cooper's.

 

[Tero]

The underside wing coloration isn't correct.

Barring is allowed and on a bright day any bird can look dark. Female harrier

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/t/northern-harrier-circus-cyaneus-female-24467381.jpg

 

[Kratter]

The fluffy white undertail coverts are distinctive in many accipiters, and not as noticeable in other hawks. The bulk of this bird says Cooper's to me (and the prey looks very small in comparison). I don't think I have ever seen a harrier pass overhead carrying prey. They usually plop down in a field or marsh for prey and consume the prey right there or fly low short distance to seek a good spot to eat. They have a distinctive dihedral in flight.
Andy

 

[Nutcracker]

I don't think I have ever seen a harrier pass overhead carrying prey.

They do when breeding, which is quite likely in MN in July (early July, definitely).

But more importantly, Northern Harrier doesn't have that sharply demarcated white undertail, while Cooper's does, so I'd agree with Cooper's.