Hello all-
This is my first post on this forum and I was hoping to get some input. I have attached a photo of a raptor of some sort I took outside my window. I tried my best to enhance the color so it was more visible, but unfortunately it is still pretty tough to see. Considering my area (Pueblo, CO) and season, my best guess is that it's a juvenile Sharp-shinned hawk. Does anybody else have any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Here's another shot of it if that helps.
Either Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk; yes, a juvenile.
Resin
Thanks for the info! I was unaware of how similar a Cooper's Hawk was to the Sharp-shinned. I did a little searching and I feel pretty confident it's a Sharp-shinned only because one site claimed you can differentiate a juvenile Sharp-shinned from a Cooper's by looking at the chest pattern. Cooper's Hawk will have sharp brown patches concentrated around the breast, while Sharp-shinned Hawks will have broad stripes that travel down the abdomen, which appears to be the case with the photo. However, Sharp-shinned Hawks are less likely to be found in relatively urban areas.
Thanks again for your help!
Welcome to another Pueblo bird-watcher.
Southern Colorado Audubon society will also do Bird IDs, but Resin is very reliable.
Arkansas valley attracts a lot of birds in the winter including Rapters, so it is possible to see a bird "in town".
Thanks for the information. Technically I'm in Pueblo West so I am even more likely to see some of the Reservoir birds! Sadly, I won't be here much longer, I'm moving to Maine in a few days to do bigger and better things! I should see a lot of new and exciting birds there!
