ID help please

Hi Everyone,

Have seen this guy/girl around for a few weeks, but was finally able to get a few decent shots. I'm not very good with ID's so if someone would help me, I'd appreciate it. C & C welcome.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Off the top of my head, I'd say it's a merlin. What a beauty. Someone who knows will be able to confirm or shoot me down in flames

I'm pretty sure it's a red-tailed hawk. You don't have much else out there that could be mistaken for this hawk.

Nice shoots. Looks like a female Merlin

Handsome looking bird

FYI, a merlin is roughly 9.5-13.5" long and has yellow legs. This bird appears much larger and has the feathered legs.

I believe this is a Cooper' Hawk, judging by it's tail.

You may have it there, Brad -- if so, a first year juvenile. (Adults have red eyes.)

Nice shot of the imm. Coop.

Do not know Western birds very well but it looks unusual for a coopers. Any thing to give it perspective? What about immature Swainsons??
Nice photos, I have difficulty in identification of my poics due to blurring, OOF, and missing half the bird!!

this photo is spot-on for imm Cooper's Hawk. Long tail and slender body indicate Accipiter family of north american hawks, the body shape isn't correct for Sharp-Shinned and I don't know if they have Goshawks in this particular area.

Here's an online shot of a first year Cooper's hawk, and I agree: it's a match.

Most definitely an accipiter and looks good for an immature Cooper's Hawk. I've never seen one with feathered legs before though, could be it just fledged.

Looks like a coop to me as well. Nice shots.