CLOSED: Need help with this bird

I think its a Cooper's Hawk. But my bird id'g skill is suspect.

Thanks
Al

Do you have a photo of the entire bird? I'm not good at identifying birds either. My first thought was a Red-Tailed Hawk but without a full photo it's hard to tell.

We have a few different kinds of hawks down here in Florida and it's hard for me to ID any but the Red-Tailed when it's in flight. I'm not sure which hawks are found in your area. My first thought is it could be a Coopers Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk or Broad-Winged Hawk. .

Here are some images of Cooper's Hawk: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=images+of+cooper's+hawk&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Red -Tailed Hawk: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=images+of+red+tailed+hawk&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Broad-Winged Hawk: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=images+of+broad-winged+hawk&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

edited to correct spelling.

This message was edited Jan 1, 2009 1:01 PM

Scroll down this page to Backyard Hawk Watching. It lists the hawks commonly seen in Maryland.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/habichat15.asp

I don't think it looks like this one but another found in your area? Sharp-Shinned Hawk: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=images+of+sharp+shinned+hawks&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title



edited to say: That's a really great photo you got of that wonderful bird, whichever it is!

This message was edited Jan 1, 2009 12:36 PM

We need to see the tail to be sure. Or the wings.

Looks like a Red-tailed to me.

Red-tailed Hawk for me too - the head is structurally a Buteo, not an Accipiter.

Resin

LOL, Resin ... now I have to go look up those two words, as I have no clue what they mean! I learn so much from you and a few others around this garden! You truly are an asset to all of us on these forums, and I for one want to say Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Happy New Year!

you're right it's hard to tell without the whole body, as it looks like a Perrigon Falcon too.

Unfortunately, I don't have a whole body shot. This was taken at the local nature center. Hopefully, they will be able to help.

I do have another shot of another Hawk that I need Id help with. I'd forgotten about the picture because it was not a well exposed picture but I was able to do a little work with it in PSE7 and get a decent exposure. I will make a separate post.

Thanks

This message was edited Jan 1, 2009 8:42 PM

This message was edited Jan 1, 2009 8:43 PM

Hey I found a shot of the entire bird as it sits behind the fence. It doesn't show the tail though. Here it is

Beautiful bird I think it has to be either a Coopers or http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Coopers_Hawk_dtl.html or a red shouldered
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk_dtl.html

According to my book if it's got a slate grey back/head then it's a Cooper's hawk..if it's all reddish brown (back & head) then it's a Red shouldered Hawk. The Red shouldered hawk is a little bit bigger also but that would be hard to tell. The tails are pretty similar also.

The main distinguishing differences are the colors of the hawks.

Red-shouldered Hawk in the second pic (not convinced it is the same individual as the first pic!)

Resin

I went back to the nature center and according to the sign it is a Red-Tailed Hawk.

If the Nature Center sign says the 2nd bird is a Red-tailed Hawk, they need a new sign.

/ldned what kind of hawk is it. It's possible the sign is wrong. I will have to talk to one of the workers to be sure

Agree with Resin...