Sharp-shinned Hawk or Merlin?? (1 Viewer)

[lonesome55dove]

Sharp-shinned Hawk or Merlin? I'm leaning towards Sharp-shinned Hawk but would appreciate any help. Thank you. l55d

Taken...1-4-2015 / Pacific Northwest / South-central Washington

1st photo has been edited ~ 2nd photo is original

 

[Stuart Darbyshire]

I'd agree with Sharp-shinned (its defo not a Merlin)

 

[lonesome55dove]

I'd agree with Sharp-shinned (its defo not a Merlin)

Thank you Stuart...I appreciate your help. l55d

 

[KC Foggin]

Yup! A Sharpie for sure. Nice shot.

 

[lonesome55dove]

Yup! A Sharpie for sure. Nice shot.

Thanks KC..I appreciate your help. This guy thought he was gonna grab a little birdie for his breakfast but a group of Stellar's Jays and Scrub Jays chased him from one tree to another for about 45 minutes before he gave up and flew off. l55d

 

[KC Foggin]

Remember, as hard as it is to see, the BOPs have to eat too

 

[lonesome55dove]

Remember, as hard as it is to see, the BOPs have to eat too

Agreed, sometimes it is hard but necessary. I was surprised at the Jays tho...didn't know they would ''police the backyard'' like that. l55d

 

[KC Foggin]

A couple of summers ago, a Crow attached itself to the front of one of my Bluebird boxes. Within minutes, the Jays & Mockingbirds started bombarding the Crow and this continued until the Crow finally flew off. It was quite neat to watch

 

[tril42]

For future reference, Merlins (and other North American falcons) always have dark eyes, never yellow as in this bird.

 

[lonesome55dove]

A couple of summers ago, a Crow attached itself to the front of one of my Bluebird boxes. Within minutes, the Jays & Mockingbirds started bombarding the Crow and this continued until the Crow finally flew off. It was quite neat to watch

I witnessed a similar event 4 or 5 summers ago. A small flock of Bluebirds were bathing and the neighbor's cat caught one...well, not for long because the rest of the birds dived bombed him until he dropped the bird and ran off with his tail betwixt his legs. Then the birds surrounded their friend and chirped at it until it got back on its feet and flew away. It was absolutely amazing.

 

[KC Foggin]

It's nice to know that in times of trouble, the bird life seems to come together for each other.

 

[lonesome55dove]

For future reference, Merlins (and other North American falcons) always have dark eyes, never yellow as in this bird.

Thank you for the tip. The eye color is actually what made me think it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk rather than a Merlin but when I'm in doubt I always come to the experts. l55d

 

[lonesome55dove]

It's nice to know that in times of trouble, the bird life seems to come together for each other.

Birds are amazing creatures. I've never seen it but I've read that if a Scrub Jay finds a dead Scrub Jay he calls loudly until other birds come to the site for a funeral ritual. Have you ever heard of this sort of behavior? l55d