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Cooper's or Sharpie? posted by Mark Artmayer on February 9, 2010 at 11:58:24

Re: Cooper's or Sharpie? posted by W. Travis Young on February 9, 2010 at 18:37:26

Re: Cooper's or Sharpie? posted by Laura Keene on February 9, 2010 at 18:57:03

Re: Cooper's or Sharpie? posted by Mark Artmayer on February 9, 2010 at 19:59:57

Re: Cooper\'s or Sharpie? posted by Jan Watkins on February 10, 2010 at 16:36:15

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	Cooper's or Sharpie?         posted by Mark Artmayer on February 9, 2010 at 11:58:24
	I was watching television today when I saw this hawk swoop down outside my window. He was chasing birds near my feeder with no luck (I think they were Mourning Doves). Anyway, I got a quick picture as he perched on a nearby tree, and I need some help with his ID! Sorry the picture is not the greatest, but any comments would really help me out! http://i47.tinypic.com/atp7pd.jpg
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	Re: Cooper's or Sharpie?         posted by W. Travis Young on February 9, 2010 at 18:37:26
	It looks like a Cooper's based on the rounded tail. It also looks larger than a Sharp-shinned but size is hard to discern in the photo.
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	Re: Cooper's or Sharpie?         posted by Laura Keene on February 9, 2010 at 18:57:03
	I have this link saved in my favorites: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/accipiterIDtable.htm
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	Re: Cooper's or Sharpie?         posted by Mark Artmayer on February 9, 2010 at 19:59:57
	Thanks Laura and Travis! @Travis: Yea, I thought it looked more rounded than flat, but then it had that little crease in the middle of the tail which I noticed on most of the SS pictures around. @Laura: Thanks for the website, I have it saved now as well =] On the site it says Cooper's are about the size of a Crow? This hawk was, I'd say, a bit bigger than a Crow. With that said, it looks like what I saw was a Cooper's Hawk. Thank you both for your comments!
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	Re: Cooper\'s or Sharpie?         posted by Jan Watkins on February 10, 2010 at 16:36:15
	Although this question has already been answered, I just have to reply...\"the tail tells the tale\". Pardon my pun! Due to their fast and swooping flight, one rarely gets a good look at small hawks, but after my first sighting, consulting a field guide, and using their recommended best ID as the tail, I quickly realized it was a Cooper\'s. He is a year-round resident here and, unfortunately, uses our bird feeders as his food pantry. He almost crashed into our window yesterday, while chasing a Starling.
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