Question from Pennsylvania, USA (1 Viewer)

[JCA]

Philadelphia, PA, USA
January 2025
On Railing Near Birdfeeder Near House

Can anyone help with this bird? I didn’t get a photo, but it turned towards me before it flew off, and it definitely had the face of an owl. I have never seen an owl on my property in the 16 years. I have lived here.

I would estimate it was 12 inches long. It definitely had no protruding ears. I wish I had gotten a picture of the face, but can anyone identify it from the back only?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[AveryBartels]

Its a Hawk, either Cooper's or Sharp-shinned. It appears if it may have a bit of a darker cap which would make it the former.

 

[nartreb]

More precisely, the back of the neck is paler than the dark cap, which makes the cap visually salient. In Sharpies the dark color extends down the back of the neck, so you don't really notice a cap -- it's more of a mullet that continues down the back and shoulders.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Agree with the others. It's a Cooper's Hawk.

 

[JCA]

Darn, I thought I had a new one! Anyway, thank you all for your replies. This site is awesome and never lets me down.