Sharpy or Cooper's?

Gallery: AvianPosted February 19, 2010167 views14 comments

When I first saw this immature hawk I thought Cooper's Hawk because of size but as I examined the the photo I began to think Sharp-shinned Hawk. Bill size, square tail, shape of the chest markings, thin legs, head shape and size all seem to point to Sharpy. A number of qualified experts have looked at the photo and seem divided in their opinions. So I thought I would put it to you. What do you think?

Photo taken last week in Tucson, AZ.

Thanks for looking and thanks for your comments and suggestions.

Canon 50D, 300mm f/4 IS w/1.4 handheld, 1/200 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 20, 2010 at 1:30 AM

Beutiful detail here, and great pose.
Cooper's, I think, also.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Roy Bailey on February 20, 2010 at 6:54 AM

Great work with that set up lots of detail good clean background.Has a lovely natural light feel about this, delicate yet the hawk has great presense. For what its worth my guess would be Male coopers.

Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 20, 2010 at 7:09 AM

Hans a great look at this Cooper's. Great head turn and a nicely blurred BG to make the bird just pop out of the image. The eye is wonderful on this one.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 20, 2010 at 9:52 AM

Definitely a young Cooper's Hawk Hans. He's a little centered in the frame, but you got a great shot there. Nice and sharp too.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Wintergren on February 20, 2010 at 9:56 AM

Very sharp and fine composition, great shot.

Registered on January 24, 2010, 15 Posts, 174 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 20, 2010 at 10:31 AM

I'm with the others on the ID: a young Cooper's Hawk. Terrific photo, Hans. I like the profile and that the bird isn't worried by your presence. Fine shot.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 20, 2010 at 12:04 PM

I'm with young Cooper's Hawk as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 20, 2010 at 3:56 PM

The ID's been confirmed and all that remains to be said is that it is a great capture, Hans. However, my personal suggestion would be (and agree with Nick) that the composition has the bird a bit centred.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 20, 2010 at 4:26 PM

Hans, I agree with all the comments below. Great looking shot all around, the only way to improve it would be to give it a little more room on the left.

To add to the Coop ID, notice how much shorter the outer tail feathers are--this is what produces the rounded look of a Coop's tail.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 20, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Nice shot Hans. From my half-vast experience I'd say this is definitely a hawk

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 20, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Looks like a Cooper"s that I posted in an Id forum. Great detail and I like the small downward branch on the perch

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 21, 2010 at 3:59 AM

wonderfully sharp Hans and it really stands out from the background

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 21, 2010 at 9:17 AM

I'd go with young Cooper's too.

I really like the setting Hans, the pose of the hawk, and the great look at the eye. I'd take a little off of the right hand side and add some back on the left if you have it to move the bird slightly off center.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on February 21, 2010 at 10:26 AM

I think Ed has nailed the ID.

Great shot Hans

Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments