CLOSED: Identify This Bird Please - Vol. 5

I'm pretty certain that this is an immature eagle, given the area where I was today, but wanted to check with the experts.

Yep, young Bald Eagle, probably first winter

Resin

Congrats Mrs Ed...this must be the day for Bald Eagles!!

Congrats Mrs Ed!!!

Well thanks. We have 3 in the area where we live, but I ventured about 30 miles west to the Mississippi where there were 22 reported during the bird count.

Very good!!! Way to pay attention to the tallies and locations of the GBBC!!

Pelle, I think that checking out the local tally is the most fun of the whole thing! 4 people from out town participated. I was surprised to see a Red Breasted Nuthatch in the count for us. They should come to MY yard!!!

I just noticed there were 2 Bald Eagles reported twice in Marlton; I'm sure it was at the large lake we were at that day because thats where we've been hearing about them being.

I have a question..anybody... I'm sure I saw a Snowy Owl in my Pin oak 2 nights ago. This is where all my birdfeeder are. Mice and shrews make paths under the snow and I have 2 opossums that visit nightly, so lots of activity. I live in Palatine , IL..has anyone seen them in this area? Or am I crazy?

My son was in the back yard, and came running around to the front of the house telling me there was a hawk on the fence. I grabbed my camera, and looked out the back door, but it quickly spotted me. It seemed real 'antzy' and seemed ready to go. I took this shot, (photo is blown up and touched up slightly) then I slid the door open, and it jumped into my Rose-of-Sharon bush, and grabbed a sparrow and took off.

What kind of hawk am I?

thanks in advance....

Looks like a Coopers Hawk to me.

"....grabbed a sparrow" a meanny! I found one baby hawk perched on my pond's bridge over the early Fall. DH put up a net to deter 'em from the kois. I'd rather watch them from a distance. lol.

Cooper's for me too

Resin

Pelle -- thanks for the ID. I've spent some time Googling the Cooper's Hawk and I think you're right.
Although, my hawk is smaller than other pictures that I've seen, but I still agree.
We've had at least two different hawks through my back yard lately.
I think the other haw I've had is a much larger Red-Shouldered, or Red-tailed Hawk.

Kim -- Yes, it quickly grabbed a sparrow, and took off with it. I may get yelled at, but those hawks can have all the sparrows that they can grab. The sparrows are obviously abundant for a reason..... uh-oh, I hope I'm not fixing to get bombarded by Hate Dmail. :^) I'm like you though, I wouldn't want them grabbing my little fishes either -- especially since they are not free like the sparrows. :^) As long as the hawks don't start grabbing my Cardinals then they're fine with me.

Resin -- thanks again for your second opinion

No don't worry about getting yelled at by anyone. Its just nature taking place them getting small birds. :-)

There isn't gonna be any yelling from me, if anything I'd cry. Help me I.D. this visitor please.

purple finch?

Thanks Iris. I'm so excited as I'm learning more about all the different visitors to the new bird feeders. :-)

Purple Finch for me too

Resin

Thanks Resin. :-)

Ok, I think this is an immature Cooper's Hawk? It has yellow eyes which only the young have. Am I right? All my birds suddenly vanished and this guy came along briefly. Sorry for the lousy pictures but I was excited and wanted to get the pictures as fast as I could.

#2

#3 This was is really lousy, but it shows how long the tail was. This is the first hawk I have had who actually landed on the deck. :o

Last one- in the tree. Sorry for the bad pics!

Oh my, he/she is so cute. what a tiny one.

Another reason besides the yellow eyes that I think's it's immature. He wasn't all that big. He was flying through the tree branches where I could hardly see him and thought he was a crow at first. These are my first hawk pictures. :-) Wish they had been better.

Looks like the coopers that Resin and pelle identified for me. Yes, Juv.

Well, I guess I will call it a Cooper's Hawk then, unless anyone has any objections?

This is a new one for me that I can't ID. I was leaning toward a Junco since it was about the same size and body shape. On the other hand all of the Junco variations seem to have a pinkish bill. intstead of gray/black like this one.

Here's another shot of the same bird. It's not very good; but at least it shows the wing and tail feathers.

Definitely not a Junco; let me look around.

western bird so not familiar here.

What do you think about a Canyon Towhee Jane? They have a reddish crown and eye-ring and a necklace of dark spots. (Pipilo fuscus)

LOL,I D mailed her but she has responded yet.

I was thinking juvenile Canyon Towhee.

That makes me feel better! I'm not an expert but I like to play :-) honing my skills.

I'm just concerned about the size and thats what I D mailed her about.

Angele & Pelle,

Thanks for your help on IDing this bird. I think Angele nailed it with canyon towhee. It was about 7-8" (just a bit smaller than a robin).

Jane

hopefully I will recognize one if I see one in person now.. Jane you can send it north if you want :-)

Canyon Towhee for me too.

Creekwalker's hawk looks most like Sharp-shinned to me, with its thin legs, rounded head, broad and untidy flank marks (not neat streaking), and dainty bill. Size judgement ("crow-sized") can always be very tricky, so I'd not give it too much reliance.

Resin

Thanks Resin. That's what I will call it then. :-)