Birdbath Hawk

[Mehera]

Since you folks seem to know about hawks, does anyone know what this one is? He was stunned by flying into the glass, and sat on my deck for a few minutes before leaving successfully. I love his chest feathers and look at those talons! He was small in size. I looked in my bird book, but I think the hawk section is confusing.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

He kind of looks pissed. I hope you did not get too close. LOL! I am amazed at how great you and Cin seemed to capture these guys on film. Bravo.

This guy looks like he would be saying..."What the heck are you doing with that camera, lady! -- Can't you see I just bumped my head!"

His coloring is really amazing. I hope you get an ID. Or else we will have another NoID 'hawk' on our hands.... hehehehee

Cheers!
BD

[Mehera]

:-) Yeah, I was close, but not close enough to get a good look at the label. Pretty sure he's not a Cooper's now!

[Piper]

My guess is a red-tailed. They're resident in your neck of the woods year round. Could be a Swainson's, but they'd only be around for breeding and this doesn't seem the right time of year for that.

Great pics, Mehera and Cin!

McJulie

[Diane]

I'd still say Coopers, or for Mehara, Sharp-Shinned. they are the smaller hawks, coming in at 14 - 18 inches in height. Red-tails are big birds, rarely flying close to homes as their prey is more small mammals, snakes, lizards, etc., while Coopers and Sharp-Shinneds are accipiters, meaning they hunt other birds, which often brings them to back yards to hunt on the bird feeders and bird baths. Both pictures would appear to be this years young, who would be out on their own now, and not yet very good at hunting, and missing the dark 'caps' on their heads that adults have.

[Mehera]

Very interesting Diane! Makes sense. Thank you for lending your expertise.

[Piper]

I'm just working from my bird books. Diane's the pro!

Diane, Mehera's hawk doesn't look like a mature Sharp-Shinned or Cooper's. If it's immature, the Sharp-Shinned would be too small, wouldn't it? A mature one is only 10-14". Cooper's would be 14-20" which seems reasonable.

McJulie

[Mehera]

I TOLD you hawks are confusing! This guy was about 14" I would guess. The accipiter explanation makes sense--he probably was chasing another bird and flew into the glass.

[Molly Taco]

I TOLD you hawks are confusing! This guy was about 14" I would guess. The accipiter explanation makes sense--he probably was chasing another bird and flew into the glass.

He looks a little cross-eyed.
Cin

[desertgal]

I use my electric wheel chair to walk my Shih Tzu early each morning. Today we were coming in the back gate when a big hawk swooped down. He was so fast. It startled both Boo and I, but not to worry, he was after the white winged doves and mexican ground doves that my husband feeds. My husband had to put a low canopy (about 3 feet from the ground) in order to safely feed the birds. A great Kodak moment that I missed. Guess I will have to start carrying a camera with me.