My local backyard Hawk. What species is he?

Whenever I hear the birds out back slamming into the windows it's usually because a hawk swooped in for a meal. Unfortunately, by the time I can get from my office to the back of the house, the birds are gone and so is the hawk.

Today this guy was on the fence looking extremely puzzled about another 'swing and miss' with the house finches, cardinals, etc.

My guess is a sharp-shinned hawk based on looking it up. Correct or another species? And not a great shot because it was taken through double-paned glass deck doors and the bird was 20 yards from my 70-200 lens.

I'm not sure, but could it be a Cooper's Hawk?

Nice. I have to make do with blue tits and robins in MY back garden.........

Chris Manchester wrote in post #11033214
Nice. I have to make do with blue tits and robins in MY back garden.........

I know this guy frequents the backyard to raid the feeders of birds, but today was the first opportunity for a shot at him with the Canon!

dave

Looks like a Sharp-Shinned hawk by his height and tiny ankles. If that's a 4" wooden slate he's on that would make his height about 10" which fits for a "Sharpie". Just my guess.

Pretty good shot of him, Dave! I suspect I have a hawk of some sort around too, based on the piles of feathers I find from time to time near my feeders! Have yet to see one, though. You say birds bashing into windows is because they are fleeing a predator? I had 2 robins bash into a window and kill themselves yesterday at the same time. Never, ever had a robin do that before, now I know (maybe) why!

It is a coopers hawk for sure

nicely done Dave, you got a great shot of him

Nice considering the circumstances. Our hawks don't come down to the fence. They prefer higher ground like roofs.

Looks like a Coopers Hawk to me. Here's a link that shows how to differentiate the 2 - with pictures I might add. Look at the 5th set of pictures and you can see the difference in the feet - Cooper's are thicker as like this bird you have.

http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …eeding/accipite​rphoto.htm

Btw, a nice shot for shooting thru glass

Wallace River wrote in post #11033364
Pretty good shot of him, Dave! I suspect I have a hawk of some sort around too, based on the piles of feathers I find from time to time near my feeders! Have yet to see one, though. You say birds bashing into windows is because they are fleeing a predator? I had 2 robins bash into a window and kill themselves yesterday at the same time. Never, ever had a robin do that before, now I know (maybe) why!

Aw, that's sad. But yeah, I'll be sitting here working and hear the 'thonk' of a small bird hitting the double-paned windows near the feeders. Go to see and nothing. No birds, no hawk ... nothing. Then the birds come back to feed about 15 minutes later.

I've seen a hawk swoop in a few times, usually unsuccessful at the scatter-and-catch tactics they use. But like you said, I have seen a pile of feathers from time to time, so they are getting the job done on occasion. They're pretty 'stealthy' hunters. Probably why they're so successful!

dave

Methodical wrote in post #11037205
Looks like a Coopers Hawk to me. Here's a link that shows how to differentiate the 2 - with pictures I might add. Look at the 5th set of pictures and you can see the difference in the feet - Cooper's are thicker as like this bird you have.

http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …eeding/accipite​rphoto.htm

Btw, a nice shot for shooting thru glass

Thanks for the compliment! And boy, this is a toss-up. I think it may be the Sharpie due to the squared off tail feathers. I was able to get a full back view before he turned around to face me and the tail feathers were definitely squared-off at the tips.

Could be either though. Had no idea the two species were so similarly maked. And you could be right.

dave

Methodical wrote in post #11037205
Looks like a Coopers Hawk to me. Here's a link that shows how to differentiate the 2 - with pictures I might add. Look at the 5th set of pictures and you can see the difference in the feet - Cooper's are thicker as like this bird you have.

http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …eeding/accipite​rphoto.htm

Btw, a nice shot for shooting thru glass

After further review, your guess is probably more correct. Coopers Hawk it is! Thanks for the link.

dave

peregrineflier wrote in post #11034934
It is a coopers hawk for sure

Yep, agreed. The link was helpful. I also have a couple of nice shots of the slate gray back with the squared off tail feathers. After review the link and all the pics, Coopers it is.

He'll be back, I'm sure. The feeders are getting pretty busy as we move into fall and cooler weather.

dave

Diamond Lil wrote in post #11037187
Nice considering the circumstances. Our hawks don't come down to the fence. They prefer higher ground like roofs.

He stood on the fence for about a minute, checking the ground below on all around. I think he might have thought he had something but didn't locate anything.

Next move was off to the branches about 30' off the ground at the back of my lot.

dave