Raptor ID help needed

Both Raptors were found in the Boise, Idaho area.

This one was taken in January.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/47016037@N06/8​519201355/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/47016037@N06/8​520315224/

I could be wrong, but the first looks a lot like the prairie merlin I got in mid January(especially with the white line over his eye). Mine for comparison.

Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks can be difficult to tell apart, but this one is a Sharp-shinned due to the very small head, stocky wings, short body, and short tail (relative to the other accipiters), no doubt of the ID....regardless if it looked big in the field. Size is the absolute worst criteria to judge when all the other traits point in one favor.

Maybe canonloader can add his expertise on this accipiter?

And yes, the other one is a Merlin.

Shackleton wrote in post #15666748
I could be wrong, but the first looks a lot like the prairie merlin I got in mid January(especially with the white line over his eye). Mine for comparison.

Thanks for the comparison. I was leaning that way.

Jerry Liguori wrote in post #15666982
Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks can be difficult to tell apart, but this one is a Sharp-shinned due to the very small head, stocky wings, short body, and short tail (relative to the other accipiters), no doubt of the ID....regardless if it looked big in the field. Size is the absolute worst criteria to judge when all the other traits point in one favor.

Maybe canonloader can add his expertise on this accipiter?

And yes, the other one is a Merlin.

Thanks Jerry, I was leaning toward Sharp-shinned also, due to the small head, coarse streaking on breast and the short tail.
Just started birding and I have the most difficult time with Raptors.

The very first photo is a Merlin (look at the tail bands in your field guide as a good starting point).

The 2nd photo is a Cooper's Hawk. The long, straight leading edge to the wings is a good starting point.

Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawk and Jerry, you're crackin me up.

Glad to hear it, thanks Chuck.