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Unusual bird photo ID? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter scottHoward
- Start date
Jeff Bouton
Well-known member
Scott,
I'm going with adult Sharp-shinned Hawk on this one. Clearly an adult accipiter and either a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's. It is unusual for "Sharpies" to raise their hackles (puff their head feathers up) like this but none-the-less this one has. If this were a Coop doing the same the head would appear very blocky and flat-topped. Also I'm keying in what we can see of the toes. They are extremely thin, also suggestive of Sharp-shinned hawk.
Best,
Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
USA
I'm going with adult Sharp-shinned Hawk on this one. Clearly an adult accipiter and either a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's. It is unusual for "Sharpies" to raise their hackles (puff their head feathers up) like this but none-the-less this one has. If this were a Coop doing the same the head would appear very blocky and flat-topped. Also I'm keying in what we can see of the toes. They are extremely thin, also suggestive of Sharp-shinned hawk.
Best,
Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
USA
scottHoward
New member
Thanks for the knowledgeable replies and the warm welcome. I'd love to be able to take credit for the picture, but it was my father-in-law who snapped this one.
We'll know where to come when we see any more interesting birds!
Thanks again!
Scott
We'll know where to come when we see any more interesting birds!
Thanks again!
Scott
Charliesmed
Charlie smed
Merlin50
Recovering Twitchaholic
Hi Everyone
I just joined the Forum, mainly because of a readers request to respond to this (and other) ID challenges.
I love a challenge, and I find that ones like this have helped me become more aware in the field.
The reponse below is by no means a positive identification. It is simply my opinion based on my experience and the study of this one photo. However, it does show that some difficult birds require debate.
I studied/reviewed and compared the photo of the adult accipiter.
Although it would be nice have a size reference, I feel strongly that its a Cooper's
* very rounded tail tip with fairly thick pale terminal band
* central rectricies are clearly longer than outer rectricies
* individual rectricies appear fairly rounded at tips
* appearance of forward eye position (subtle)
* large square head with capped effect emphasized by paleness on face extending behind nape
* the brownish gray cap suggests subadult Cooper's (female?). But, look at the prominent eyebrow. Based on experience and review of many Sharpie images, this character seems to be missing, or less prominent (according to some references, subadult Cooper's have rufous forehead and eyebrows as suggested in this image).
Sorry to muddy the water.
Cheerio
I just joined the Forum, mainly because of a readers request to respond to this (and other) ID challenges.
I love a challenge, and I find that ones like this have helped me become more aware in the field.
The reponse below is by no means a positive identification. It is simply my opinion based on my experience and the study of this one photo. However, it does show that some difficult birds require debate.
I studied/reviewed and compared the photo of the adult accipiter.
Although it would be nice have a size reference, I feel strongly that its a Cooper's
* very rounded tail tip with fairly thick pale terminal band
* central rectricies are clearly longer than outer rectricies
* individual rectricies appear fairly rounded at tips
* appearance of forward eye position (subtle)
* large square head with capped effect emphasized by paleness on face extending behind nape
* the brownish gray cap suggests subadult Cooper's (female?). But, look at the prominent eyebrow. Based on experience and review of many Sharpie images, this character seems to be missing, or less prominent (according to some references, subadult Cooper's have rufous forehead and eyebrows as suggested in this image).
Sorry to muddy the water.
Cheerio
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