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Can someone tell me what bird this is?

Started by Suezie13, Feb 02 2013 03:23 AM

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17 replies to this topic

#1 Suezie13

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 03:23 AM

Found this bird last Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in our backyard in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. It stayed for 2 days perched in the apple trees. Had taken a couple of morning doves, I'm guessing as there wasn't much left of them to identify them. It is a fairly large bird, I'm guessing around 20" in length. What a beautiful bird! Loved watching it for the time it stayed.

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#2 jdeitsch

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 03:31 AM

Welcome to Whatbird.......... You have a Coopers Hawk I believe, though not positive

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#3 Amber H

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 03:31 AM

Cooper's Hawk

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#4 Derek Elsinger

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 03:44 AM

Thirded!

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#5 Lenapelee

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 03:52 AM

fourthed

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#6 Cavan Wood

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 04:17 PM

It could well be cooper's, but I'm not as confident as everyone else, as really the only thing we have is a white-tipped tail, and that can be highly variable. As a few recent posts have demonstrated a light side of the neck does not neccesarily mean a light nape.

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#7 Cicero31

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 04:53 PM

It could well be cooper's, but I'm not as confident as everyone else, as really the only thing we have is a white-tipped tail, and that can be highly variable. As a few recent posts have demonstrated a light side of the neck does not neccesarily mean a light nape.

This makes sense to me. But if it isn't a Cooper's, what do you think it is?

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#8 Guest_Birdluvr_*

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 05:03 PM

if not a coopers, then a sharp shinned. the white tipped tail isnt always an accurate field mark as i have seen sharpies with white tipped tails, but i agree coopers. the head looks small but if you think it it was around 20", then its a coopers, sharpies are only 10-14 inches. the head looking small is probably due to the angle the picture was taken, also the nape looks pale like coopers.

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#9 Cavan Wood

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 06:57 PM

This makes sense to me. But if it isn't a Cooper's, what do you think it is?

Oh, sorry, the alternative is a sharp-shinned, and the triangular body shape does support that, but again, variability, and angle can affect that. I am very much undecided on this one. If Suezie has another photo or two that would be great, particularly if there are any showing the underside of the tail or the back of the head.

Scott

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#10 Derek Elsinger

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 08:30 PM

I think it is just scrunching its head down a bit, but it is a Cooper's. Any more pictures?

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#11 Suezie13

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 11:49 PM

I have a good picture of the underside of the tail but am having trouble uploading the pic. Any suggestions or maybe I could tell you what it is that you are looking for. Thanks!

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#12 TheBillyPilgrim

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Posted 03 February 2013 - 01:46 AM

I have a good picture of the underside of the tail but am having trouble uploading the pic. Any suggestions or maybe I could tell you what it is that you are looking for. Thanks!

Uploading the photo to a photo sharing website, like Imgur or Flickr, is the easiest way. You can just link the photo into your post.

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#13 Suezie13

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Posted 03 February 2013 - 04:04 AM

TheBillyPilgram...I'm not too computer savvy but I think I got it! Hope this photo of the underside of it's tail can help!

2y5Y90C.jpg 142.98K 47 downloads

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#14 TheBillyPilgrim

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Posted 03 February 2013 - 04:05 AM

It does! Definitely a Cooper's, due to the graduated length of the tail feathers.

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#15 Suezie13

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Posted 03 February 2013 - 04:11 AM

Thank you so much for everybody's help. I don't believe I've ever seen a Cooper's Hawk before and to see one so close up was awesome! Will definitely be keeping an eye out for these in the future!