Just when I think I’d figured out sharp-shinned vs Cooper’s hawks, a friend sends me some photos/videos that have me stumped 🙃 Can you tell? Sharp shinned or cooper’s?
To me, head size looks more sharp-shinned but head shape looks more Cooper’s? Tail length and shape looks more sharp shinned but I’m also not sure?? And head markings look kind of intermediate between the two to me. Location is Iron County, Utah
AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Okay, so this looks to me like a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes.
This bird does not appear to have a lighter colored nape (like a Cooper's), giving the appearance of a cap, but has a dark hood that seems to go from the nape over and down onto the face a little.
That tail seems to have a flat end, and not rounded (like a Cooper's).
A Beginner’s Guide to IDing Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawks | Audubon
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk - FeederWatch
