We had just finished a New Year’s Day dinner and stepped onto the back porch when my husband noticed this fine fellow finishing up his own meal on our fence. We know there are birds of prey around, but see them only occasionally, usually atop a telephone pole a street or two away. So it was a bit of a surprise to have this hawk pay us a close visit. It’s not a great photo, but we had to scramble for the camera to get one at all, and he didn’t stay long. We think it’s a Cooper’s hawk, but would love to have a confirmation or correction from someone who is sure. Thanks to Robert and Abraham we’re certain this is a Sharp-Shinned Hawk - thanks guys! Happy New Year!
Ah, I love hawks. Fabulous grab shot.
It could be a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, which is smaller than a Cooper’s but very similar markings. Quite difficult to identity, apparently. See here.
In the UK we have the Sparrow Hawk. Which is a stunning little bird. They’re incredibly fast, able flyers, and burst out of bushes to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Oh, and there has also been a successful increase in breeding numbers of the gorgeous and larger Goshawk. Another of my favourite birds. Persecuted horribly by gamekeepers, though (as are most birds of prey).
There are links on the words: ‘here’ ‘Sharp-shinned Hawk’ ‘Sparrow Hawk’ and ‘Goshawk’.
It is a Sharp-shinend Hawk. Or looks like it to me. A Coopers Hawk’s head on top is colored much like the neck and rest of the body but a Sharp-shinned Hawk has a dark gray, almost a dark slate gray colored head, on top and around the back and they tail is more squared than a Coopers Hawk. So I would bet it is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. I have one or two on my blogs and think there are some on my birds blog also.
Nice photo. The meal looks like what we call a Mourning Dove. Plentiful here. And they usually go for a bigger dinner if one is available. I guess it is smart to use just enough energy and get the most value.
I would like to thank you for your visits and comments on my blog in 2007. And I would like to wish you and your friends and family and very healthy and prosperous 2008.
Thanks for those great links, Robert! You and Abraham are probably right, it must be a Sharp-shinned Hawk. In my bird book, the only photo of a Sharp-shinned Hawk is from the underside of the bird in flight. You can’t see his “bloomers” and there’s no telling his top color. But after reading the description, it sounds like this boy, definitely.