Help on this Hawk

Discussion

4 replies

Posted by Mark Jenkins on June 26, 2010 at 11:18 AM

This hawk was in my backyard this morning. Could you tell me what it is. Thanks.

Posted by Buck Ward on June 26, 2010 at 2:00 PM

This is not a certain ID, but if I saw this hawk in my yard I would say it is a young red shoulder.

Posted by Craig Boyhont on June 26, 2010 at 3:34 PM

My guess would be juv Cooper's.

Posted by Nate Chappell on June 27, 2010 at 1:27 AM

I agree with Buck, a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk.

Posted by Vicki Henry on July 3, 2010 at 6:21 AM

The ID is in the tail and I'm so glad you got a photo of it. Hawks can be so difficult but I too would guess a Red-shouldered.

Sharp-shinned Hawk: tail is usually squared. Terminal band is narrow, dirty like, not white and hard to see.

Cooper’s Hawk: Long with tip usually rounded. Terminal band is broad white and easy to see.

Red-tailed Hawk: Immature: Have finely barred brown tails that show white at the base.

Red-shouldered Hawk: Boldly striped with black and white broad bands. Tail subterminal band isn’t noticeably different from the other bands.