So, we were sitting on our deck at about 5:30 last evening when a hawk swoops in to our back yard and takes a rest on a branch right above our feeders. We’ve seen this guy before but can’t decide if it’s a Coopers Hawk or Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Luckily, I had my camera near by and I took a few pictures.
Right after I snapped the pictures he dove off the branch and nearly picked off one of the male Cardinals that frequent the feeders. The Cardinal escaped several attempts by the hawk to grab it. The two of them were flying in/out, and around a magnolia bush and pine tree. Finally the hawk gave up and sat back on the same branch he started on. I took a few more pictures. Unfortunately they are pretty blurry due to the low light and my having to hand hold the camera. Here they are. Maybe one of you more experienced birders can tell us which hawk it is, Coopers or Sharp-Shinned:
These first two are of the front of the hawk:
Here’s a couple of the back:
Based on these pictures, and our Kaufman Field Guide
It is difficult to be certain of the species from these photographs, but I would go with Cooper’s based on the size and proportions.
How exciting! I’m just learning myself, but I would guess it to be a Juvenile Sharp-shinned. But..How big was it? The Cooper’s is a little bigger…11 in. vs 16 1/2 in. I’m guessing a Juve either way partly based on coloring and partly based on the fact that supper got away! Were you able to hear it?
Very tough one, but looks to be a juvenile Sharpie….the neck seems to be as long as a Cooper’s Hawk neck, but the streaking on the breast is blotchy and run together, where the streaks in juvenile Cooper’s Hawks tend to be a little more symmetric. Also, the tail is a little on the square side and has a notch in the middle of of the trailing edge like Sharpies tend to have….still, pretty tough to diagnose…Where was this picture taken? What state?
The picture was taken in our backyard, which is fairly wooded. We live in the Atlanta, GA area.
I’m tending to believe it is a Sharp-Shinned based on the size and coloring. We saw him flying around last night so I’m sure we’ll get another close up of him at some point.
Based on the stripes on the tail I’d say Cooper’s Hawk as well.
Check out these photos by a master.
I wish the undertail was in better focus, as that’s one of the best ways to tell on a perched bird from the front.
If I had to guess, I’d say Sharpie. I’m not basing that on much in particular, it’s just the jizz I get on this bird. I think it has to do with the small head.
Cooper’s are much more common in our area (I live in Cumming), but Sharpies are certainly around. I’ve seen both make passes at our feeders.
Hi Mark
I had a Hawk Attack of my own. Have you decided for certain what it was you saw? Here is a pic of mine, which through confirmation from people that actually know what they are doing when it comes to IDing (unlike myself), it is a Sharpie…and adult…and yes…supper got away from him, too!
http://picasaweb.google.com/graymall3/RAPTORS#5312448056466094930
It’s a sharp-shinned hawk from what I see.
Yes, we’re almost positive it is a Sharp-Shinned. We’ve seen it a few more times and have been able to get some good views of it. Everything points to it being a Sharp-Shinned.
Agreed. Looking at our pictures again and also seeing it a couple more times we’re almost certain it’s a Sharp-Shinned
heres a link to a picture I’d like to share as well would everyone say this is a cooper? he literally comes to visit my resdential neighborhood yard!
It is most definitely a pine tree!
C
I carnt really make up my mind it looks like a Coopers to me
I had a hawk do something in my back yard as well. http://wiredpresentations.com/2009/05/29/a-new-kind-of-housing-problem/
Just yesterday I was riding to work to photography a fawn that was hanging around our building and I saw another Cooper’s Hawk chasing a bird. Luckily for the small bird the hawk has a wide turn radius.
Yeah, in tight quarters especially, the smaller birds have an advantage. I think the hawks rely almost completely on the element of surprise. If they don’t get the smaller bird in the first attempt the odds of success drop very quickly. It’s certainly an interesting sight, especially when it happens only 10 feet away from you.
Hi Mark,
Please check my bird album on Facebook if you wish. We have a family of Cooper’s Hawks in our back yard, they’ve been nesting for 3 years now and I’ve been swooped at on several occasions. This last weekend I made the mistake of approaching one of the young ones feeding on a baby chick it grabbed from the neighbor’s yard. Within a few seconds of approaching the alert was sounded and I was attacked by several hawks from every direction, swooping within inches of my head and very angry.