CLOSED: Need help id'g this hawk

Is this a Red Shouldered Hawk. Here's the 1st picture of the hawk lying in the grass before the ambush. Btw this hawk was being sneaky just lying in the grass. I moved around to get a better shot of the hawk and lo and behold it attacked a bird within about 5 feet from where I stood. It happened so fast that I was not able to get a shot of the attack or a shot just after the attack. This was my second time experiencing a hawk attack within 5-10' in less than 1 week. I was stoked.

Thanks

This message was edited Feb 18, 2009 12:29 AM

Here's another picture after the failed ambush.

It's not a buteo (e.g. Red-shouldered Hawk); it's an accipiter - a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk. (I'm sure the experts will be able to tell you which!)

Yep, an Accipiter; I'd go for Sharp-shinned given its small bill and slender legs

Resin

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I found this site that does a side by side comparison of the Sharp Shinned and Coopers Hawk. From the description they appear very similar but one think stood out, based on their discussion, is that the Sharp Shinned Hawk usually has a pale stripe over the eyes, which this one does. So Sharp Shinned it is. Also it looks to be a juvenile based on their description, i.e. yellows eyes for juveniles and red eyes for adults.

Here's the site: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/learning/trickyIDs/sharp-shinned-and-cooper-s-hawks

Thanks all





This message was edited Feb 18, 2009 9:51 PM

also explains the failed attemp and the disregard of human close by
juvies do that a lot

I have lots of red tail and eagles also a very small hawk that I cant seem to see well enough to figure out what it is

been trying to get pics but nothing worth posting yet