Whatbird.com

Hi this is my first post here. I have recently started taking pictures of birds and need a little help to build my assurance that my guesses are close to what they are. At first I thought this was a Praire Falcon but then I saw one and it doesn't have the black mustache on it's face. Now I'm not sure what this is. This was taken in PA.

 

 

This one I wasn't able to get a great shot of and I thought it may be Cooper's Hawk. This was taken at Valley Forge Park, PA 

 
 

First bird looks like a Sharp-shinned Hawk or possibly a Cooper's. Second bird is definitely a Red-tailed Hawk.

My impression on your first birdis Sharp-shinned Hawk, it appears too thin and delicate for a Cooper's.

The second bird I agree on Red-tailed Hawk.

 

 

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featherbrain

Try out my photo quiz!

Life is simple: Eat, Sleep, and BIRD!

"Walk softly and carry a big scope!"

1. Sharp shinned hawk

2. Red tailed hawk. 

I agree; Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk.

Nice pictures! 

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~Makachoa~

Thank you very much everyone. I am still amazed as how you were able to tell that the second one was a Red-Tailed Hawk.

I agree with Sharpie and Red-tailed. The "belly-band" on the second one identifies it as a Red-tailed.  Great photos!

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

What ID's the 2nd one is the dark patagial marking's. Red Tail's are the only No.Amer. raptor with this-it is the dark line on the leading edge of the wing.

SeeBirds123:

What ID's the 2nd one is the dark patagial marking's. Red Tail's are the only No.Amer. raptor with this-it is the dark line on the leading edge of the wing.

Man, this thread is three months old.

Looks like your perched bird has a banded tail?  Take a look at some pictures of an immature Coopers or Sharp-shinned hawk.  In a comparison of sizes to some birds that you may know the Cooper's is (about the length of a green heron) is a larger bird than the Sharp-shinned (about the length of a blue jay).