CLOSED: Norhern Harrier?

This raptor visits my back yard often. It looks like a Northern Harrier but I don't see the white rump.

It's not a harrier - wings are too short, lacks overall jizz, no white rump. It's a sharp-shinned hawk

Also look at Coopers Hawk

Here is a picture on Wikipedia that does a side by side comparison (although the illustration of the songbirds they captured is unnecessary!) The Coopers is on the left, and Sharp shinned is on the right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Accipiter_cooperii_striatusDO1908P0203A.jpg

Of note, I've seen several descriptions saying the eyes can be orange, yellow, or red. One site says juveniles have yellow, and they turn red as an adult (for both Coopers and Sharp Shinned).

If I had to pick one, I'd say your bird looks a little more like an immature Coopers. Just my opinion, but I am not an expert by far!

Here is the USGS site with pics of the Coopers that looks like yours:
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i3330id.html

And here is the Sharp Shinned (also looks like yours!)
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3320id.html

The fence rail acting as a perch is about 6 inches in width. Would that eliminate the Sharp-shinned?

That does help.... it says Coopers length:15.5 inches - however - the females are usually "much larger" than males. So I wonder if the length they give of 15.5 inches is for a male or female, or an average of the two?? LOL

The sharp shinned length: 10.5 inches (again is this male or female???)

So anyway, looking at your picture, if the rail is 6 inches, this birds tail alone is at least that. I would estimate it's total length to be right around 15 inches, which fits for Coopers.

Hopefully Resin will come along soon with the Sibley guide! (I've got to get one of those)

rntx22, I think you are right about the Coopers. Here is another shot during feeding time.

Cooper's for me too - also note the rounded tail corners, and the legs are fairly stout, not slender ('sharp').

Resin