Hawks or Falcons...how to tell them apart?

I took this pic today, this guy was fighting with a Bald eagle. He was pretty massive, so I don't think it was a Falcon...

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

I'd guess the first is an immature bald eagle and the second bird a cooper's hawk. Just a guess.

Really clear shot of the second bird, very crisp. What's going on in the bottom right corner though? Flare?

first one is for sure a young bald eagle... cant help with the other.

spade5320 wrote in post #16599593
I'd guess the first is an immature bald eagle and the second bird a cooper's hawk. Just a guess.

Really clear shot of the second bird, very crisp. What's going on in the bottom right corner though? Flare?

Thanks! I shot this from my porch, and I have a flagpole there. I was getting vignette from the porch post on the left, and the (horizontal-ish) flagpole on the right. I was afraid to move because I didn't want it to fly away, so I shot through that small opening and hoped for the best, lol.

That's awesome...so it wasn't fighting with the 'mature' eagle...playing? When they separated, the immature one flew away in a different direction. I couldn't get a close or clear/unobstructed shot of the 'mature' one...

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Excellent job Ace. I believe spade is right. Hawks have rounded wings in flight and Falcons pointed. Hawks usually have heavier bodies. Falcons are more thin.