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ID Please Cooper's or Sharp Shinned

Discussion

3 replies
Posted by Sally King on December 12, 2010 at 1:08 AM
ID Please Cooper's or Sharp Shinned
Saw this bird perched by the side of the road on the way to work. Cooper's are more common here so leaning that direction. The bird never turned to show the tail better even though I watched for over 5 - 7 minutes. Size is so difficult for me to judge with nothing to compare it to. Surprised by all the white on the wing too. Not shown for either species in my bird id books.
Posted by Richard Teller on December 12, 2010 at 8:46 AM
My vote is for a Sharpie. The shape of the head and neck, the tail looks pretty square from the angle seen. I have never seen a Sharpie with the whit on the wings. The only other thought I had was in your area could this be a stray up from the south that I am total unfamiliar with.
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 12, 2010 at 11:04 AM
I think this is an adult sharpie Sally. The tail looks too short in relation to body for a Cooper's. Also the beak is very small. I vote sharpie.
Posted by Tom Smit on December 12, 2010 at 12:14 PM
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/accipiterIDtable.htm

May be this can help you.