| Author | Content |
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 24, 2007 11:32 PM Post #4120111
| Out guest chased a smaller bird (sparrow of some sort I think) into a window. We went in and when we came back out both the dead (knocked out?) bird and this one were gone. There weren't any feathers as if the sparrow was eaten. Could the larger bird have carried off the smaller bird, or does this mean it got away?
Oh yeah, and can anyone ID this bird? If it helps, this is Tucson, AZ.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 24, 2007 11:34 PM Post #4120121
| Here's a picture at another angle. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
adelbertcat
Klamath River, CA
October 25, 2007 12:03 AM Post #4120211
| Could it be a Merlin? |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
October 25, 2007 12:23 AM Post #4120272
| Looks like a Coopers to me.
Lets see what everyone else says. :-) |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
October 25, 2007 12:47 AM Post #4120356
| Nice pics!! :-) |
adelbertcat
Klamath River, CA
October 25, 2007 12:56 AM Post #4120396
| Pelle the first book I looked at didn't look like a Coopers but I checked a second book that has photos not drawings and I have to agree it's a Coopers. |
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 25, 2007 1:06 AM Post #4120439
| Another shot in a similar pose to the first. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 25, 2007 1:07 AM Post #4120441
| This shot is similar to the second. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 25, 2007 1:09 AM Post #4120448
| You can see a picture of Cooper's Hawk on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper's_Hawk |
Dirus
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9b)
October 25, 2007 1:12 AM Post #4120455
| Also from Wikipedia: Cooper's Hawk (left), Sharp-shinned Hawk (right)
Depending which picture you look at, it could be either. I guess I'm more convince of a Cooper's Hawk since it can straighten out.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
October 25, 2007 2:14 AM Post #4120690
| The Coopers has a continuous line from head into beak; like a C and the Sharpie has a different one like 2 C's almost.
Coopers on left in these pics. (These are not my photos but friends Bob & Bernie)
This message was edited Oct 24, 2007 10:18 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom (Zone 9a)
October 25, 2007 9:01 AM Post #4121271
| Cooper's Hawk for me too. In addition to what's been mentioned already, note the rounded tail tip (square-ended in Sharp-shinned), and the stout legs and talons (slender in S-s).
Resin
|
claypa
West Pottsgrove, PA (Zone 6b)
October 25, 2007 11:40 AM Post #4121447
| So pelletory, is that Bob on the left and Bernie on the right? |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
October 25, 2007 11:46 AM Post #4121466
| LOL :-) |
Loonie1
Rowlett, TX (Zone 8a)
October 25, 2007 7:47 PM Post #4122906
| Dirus, GREAT photos!!!
Carla |
duckmother
North Little Rock, AR (Zone 7b)
October 26, 2007 2:46 PM Post #4125576
| Thank you for the wonderful photos and great explanations. I have the hardest time telling them apart.
ducky |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
October 26, 2007 11:43 PM Post #4127143
| Pelle, Thanks for those comparison shots of the hawks!! we still are not sure which one we have seen in our yard 3 times now. I need to print that or something. |
jws1949
Milwaukee, WI
October 27, 2007 1:37 AM Post #4127482
| Coopers and Sharpshins can be very difficult to tell apart. The female Sharpie and Male Cooper are approximately the same size. Coopers are about crow-sized and Sharpies are about Blue Jay size but the female hawks are bigger than the males. That being said, look at the head sizes of both--the Sharpie has a very small head and the Cooper's is more proportionate to its body while the Sharpie's looks undersized. Does this make sense? But I agree with Resin in that the rounded tail is a pretty good identifying guide when you can see it this clear. Plus the red eye is an indicator of an adult. Immature's tails also are kind of scraggly and hard to tell if its rounded or square. I'd say Cooper's also.
Jimbo |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
October 27, 2007 1:57 AM Post #4127526
| so rude of me... I meant to say earlier, those are fantastic shots Dirus!! |
boojum
Shelburne Falls, MA (Zone 5a)
October 29, 2007 12:53 PM Post #4134944
| I saw this raptor when I lived in Tucson (1996-1998) and have always wondered what it was! Thanks for the great info. Wonderful pics Dirus! |
bigears
karsiyaka Mersin 10
Turkey
November 1, 2007 3:46 PM Post #4146903
| Looks like a Sparrow Hawk, but not sure if they are in your country. I have seen them in UK. |
OldNed
Merritt Island, FL (Zone 10a)
November 1, 2007 5:26 PM Post #4147284
| The USA has three Accipiter species...none is your Eurasian Sparrow Hawk.
We do have a small falcon which used to be known as a Sparrow Hawk-now changed to American Kestrel (but many here still call it a Sparrow Hawk). |
Seedtosser1
Glenview, IL
November 1, 2007 5:34 PM Post #4147308
| Wow!! Incredible photos. |
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom (Zone 9a)
November 1, 2007 6:38 PM Post #4147519
| Quoting:Looks like a Sparrow Hawk, but not sure if they are in your country
It is a close relative:
Sparrowhawk: Accipiter nisus
Cooper's Hawk: Accipiter cooperi
Resin
|
