Hawk in my yard ID?

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Annie
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Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Annie »

Ok so I know it's cruel to the little birds I feed, but this hawk was in my yard today! I had my camera, but it's afternoon and the bird flew in a tree facing the sun LOL.

So I lightened it as much as I could, came out really bad. But can anyone ID it?

Oh Nanny, where are you LOLOL?
I don't know if you can tell what kind it is, but it's all I could get :(
I'm just taking a wild guess, but is it a Coopers hawk?

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Spider
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Spider »

Could be a Sharpie (Sharp-shinned Hawk). Did he come in real fast and low?
Spider's Hosta List There are photos there too :)

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Annie
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Annie »

Well he was already in my yard when I drove up. Then he landed in that tree, then flew over by my garage, then back on a pole.
He flew pretty fast though! Very agile for a bigger bird!
He was pretty big, but I couldn't really tell because the dang sun was in my eyes LOL.

So I just aimed my camera at him and that's what I got. Here is another one, but it's REALLY blurry. Don't think it will help much though, he looks like a fuzzball sitting on a fence post :lol: :lol:

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Spider
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Spider »

I just broke out my bird book, I'm steering more toward the Coopers. The face looks more cooper than Sharpie. (I like saying Sharpie though, I say it shaahpee :) )

Rounded tail tip = Coopers
Squared off tail tip = Sharpie
Coopers is larger. :D
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steg
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by steg »

I think Spider has it right as it's likely one or the other.

Who says size doesn't matter? :-?

I'd say Cooper based on your saying it was big. I've seen several around here and they are quite large and striking to watch.
Annie
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Annie »

Thanks for helping me ID it :)
I got it down to the two types but wasn't sure which one it was.

It was soooooo cool!!

I just got done telling Bev, my sister (AKA Muffy) I wouldn't mind if a hawk came to dinner in my yard. Hope he is getting some of the starlings and cowbirds. Hey they have to eat too :lol:
Just so I could get a picture of one. Unfortunately it was in the wrong tree to get a good picture.
I hope he comes back :)
I'm sure the birds don't, but I really don't mind if he snags a few birds here and there.
If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn. ~Andrew Mason

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steg
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by steg »

Found this link that has pictures of both types of hawks.

http://www.birdcapemay.org/gallery/main ... ccipiters/

Hope you get to see them again. We had the one below stop by for a little one morning. Couldn't get a good picture either. Was thinking broad winged hawk, but could be a juv. coopers too. Oh well. Impressive wingspan when he took off. All the little birds disappeared while he/she sat there.
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nanny_56
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by nanny_56 »

Hey Annie!!! Yes, that is a Cooper's !!! I have had one coming through pretty regular the last few weeks. I got this pic friday. It landed so that I was haveing to shoot up through the window.

Steg yours looks like a Red- Shouldered Hawk maybe. Not sure...not a Broadwing tho!
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Annie
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Re: Hawk in my yard ID?

Post by Annie »

Aww thats not fair, look at your pictures compared to mine :lol: :lol:

Thanks for the info :)
If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn. ~Andrew Mason

~~Annie~~
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