Has been a frequent visitor of late. Maybe I'm just thinking it's large because it's nice and close (for once!).
10 replies to this topic
#1
cestma
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 03:57 AM
Is it safe to think this Cooper's Hawk is probably a female? (S)he just seems large--that's a 4 X 4 post (s)he's sitting on.
Has been a frequent visitor of late. Maybe I'm just thinking it's large because it's nice and close (for once!).
Has been a frequent visitor of late. Maybe I'm just thinking it's large because it's nice and close (for once!).
Trip report: Birding in Michigan's Upper Penisula
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
#2
syncrasy
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syncrasy
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 04:40 AM
Nice photo!
Based on my entirely scientific calculations
(attached), and assuming females range from 16 to 19 inches in length (and males only 14 to 16 inches), I'd say she's a she.
Based on my entirely scientific calculations
(attached), and assuming females range from 16 to 19 inches in length (and males only 14 to 16 inches), I'd say she's a she.
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#3
fisherman1313
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 05:01 AM
agree with female Cooper's.
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#4
cestma
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 05:43 AM
Nice photo!
Based on my entirely scientific calculations
Thank you both! I just didn't want to call a majestic bird like this "it."
Syncrasy, I love it! I had attempted something roughly similar...emphasis on the roughly. Very roughly.
Your illustration made my day!And many thanks for the compliment. I was durn pleased myself, given my "skills," the intervening window, and the rain. Amazing how much difference a big, still, close subject makes...
Trip report: Birding in Michigan's Upper Penisula
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
#5
cestma
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 07:46 AM
I'm also thinking that with that iris color, combined with the breast/belly pattern and the rufous auriculars (and with a lot of referring to my Wheeler's!) that this individual would be what's called a sub-adult; which, as I understand it, refers to a bird at least a year old. I.e., one of not this year's but last year's clutches. How am I doing, pros?
Trip report: Birding in Michigan's Upper Penisula
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
#6
creeker
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 08:15 AM
Based on plumage, I would say this is an ASY-ATY bird (second-third year.) Eye color is variable in populations, so age is hard to determine once they lose the immature yellow color. Females take longer to get the red eyes than males (according to at least one study I've looked at,) and some females eyes stay orangish in color. Now yours is showing fairly light orange eyes, so you could guess that she is just over two years old, but I would not put money on it. Oh, and I'm not one of the pros, but I do have an inordinate amount of experience with the Blue Darters. Psweet might be able to add some more detailed information on this. I love your pic, by the way.
Psweet might be able to add some more detailed information on this. I love your pic, by the way.
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#7
Sgtmac1
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 10:30 AM
Nice photo!
Based on my entirely scientific calculations
Just wondering, did you take into consideration that 4x4s are actually only about 3.5 inches wide (I just went out in the dark at 3:30 AM with a flashlight and tape measure to double check a couple of my fence posts). Sorry, there always has to be a "Devil's advocate" in the crowd, Mac.
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#8
psweet
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 12:41 PM
I'd agree with female, I think. I'd be happier about it if the eyes were actually red, but as noted, the rufous cheeks mean either female or young adult male.
#9
syncrasy
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syncrasy
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 01:46 PM
Just wondering, did you take into consideration that 4x4s are actually only about 3.5 inches wide (I just went out in the dark at 3:30 AM with a flashlight and tape measure to double check a couple of my fence posts). Sorry, there always has to be a "Devil's advocate" in the crowd, Mac.
Ha! Okay, since you went out in the dark, you deserve a new calculation...
4.66 units x 3.5 inches = 16.31 inches (still within the female range). Another issue is estimating where the left edge of the post is since the post appears to be at an angle. I "eyeballed" what I thought was the corner.
#10
hbvol
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Posted 08 October 2012 - 03:10 PM
Nice photo! As I have said before, raptors are great at striking nice poses.
#11
cestma
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Posted 09 October 2012 - 03:37 AM
Thank you everyone!
Sgtmac1, that correction occurred to me, too, & I did the same recalculation syncrasy did. Which puts this bird into more of a borderline area, length-wise, I'd say.
Creeker, thank you very much for all the helpful details. This raises another question--how many years to maturity for this species? I have read that subadults and even juveniles ("AFY," I guess?) are known to mate.
And to further complicate matters, I grabbed a few quick shots when this bird showed up again today; or at least I thought it was this bird. Unfortunately it was earlier in the day and the hawk was in the shadow of the house, so much worse shots, but...is this the same bird?
Sgtmac1, that correction occurred to me, too, & I did the same recalculation syncrasy did. Which puts this bird into more of a borderline area, length-wise, I'd say.
Creeker, thank you very much for all the helpful details. This raises another question--how many years to maturity for this species? I have read that subadults and even juveniles ("AFY," I guess?) are known to mate.
And to further complicate matters, I grabbed a few quick shots when this bird showed up again today; or at least I thought it was this bird. Unfortunately it was earlier in the day and the hawk was in the shadow of the house, so much worse shots, but...is this the same bird?
Trip report: Birding in Michigan's Upper Penisula
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
http://www.whatbird....pper-peninsula/
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