Posted by John Tobias on March 10, 2017 at 9:55 AM
I am fairly sure this is a Coopers Hawk, would like confirmation or proper ID. Taken in central Illinois as the bird was flying over a lake. Thanks for your time.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on March 10, 2017 at 10:47 AM
I'd say you are right. The rounded tail and relatively straight front wing edge argue for Coopers. The head doesn't project as much as you'd like, but that is likely because he is looking down. The bars on the tail seem to extend all the way across.
With a Sharp-shinned, you'd expect a straight tail with faint barring and more sharply curved wings. And it's too slim to be Goshawk.
Posted by Mia McPherson on March 10, 2017 at 12:05 PM
Given the owl-like facial discs, the dark inner secondaries, the bold underwing patterns and dark "collar" that encircles the neck I would say this is a Northern Harrier, possibly a female.
Posted by Larry Leach on March 10, 2017 at 1:15 PM
I'd vote for Northern Harrier as well.
Posted by Jim Zablotny on March 10, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Discussion
7 repliesWith a Sharp-shinned, you'd expect a straight tail with faint barring and more sharply curved wings. And it's too slim to be Goshawk.
Max