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Post by sundset on Mar 18, 2009 14:56:01 GMT -8
Is this a sharp shinned hawk? He came to visit my backyard a few days ago, he seemed interested in the small birds on the ground eating the fallen bird seeds. Was interesting because in the last 1.5 years I have not seen one come into our yard.  |
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Post by trudi on Mar 18, 2009 19:08:56 GMT -8
hi , it is no wonder we get confused with all the different birds when each book you refer to gives a total different picture of each bird!!When I saw your pic I thought Merlin /falcon and of course out came the books!! defiantly not a sharp shinned hawk ??then looking at the pic in Birds of south western BC the s s hawk looks a match... I took this picture in my yard today this hawk that I believe this to be a sharp shinned hawk has been hanging around for a few days (of course now to my dismay all my pine siskins and everything else have disappeared)   |
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Post by Gord on Mar 18, 2009 21:50:38 GMT -8
Trudi and Sundset, both are well captured images of Sharp-shinned Hawks. Sundset, yours is an adult Sharp-shinned with skinny legs and nice dark nape of the neck and really no clear definition between the dark head and the face or neck. A Cooper's Hawk would have a light nape (contrasting sharply with the head creating a cap. Ill attach a photo below to show what I mean) and thick looking legs. These are a challenging species to identify so congrats to you both for getting them!  (this guy was from Island 22)  Trudi, you are spot on with your little guy as well. That square tipped tail is perfect! In the shot below you'll notice that a Cooper's Hawk would have a roundy tail tip and often more white on the tip as well. From the front, your guy will have more of a barred breast while the Cooper's below is much more streaky and defined. The little stinkers sure have a way at messing around the feeders! ;D It likely will move on soon though. Most of our Sharp-shins dont hang around in the summer and the ones that do Ive only seen up in the mountains to breed. (this guy was from the edge of the road photographed from the world's best bird blind...a car!)   |
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Post by trudi on Mar 19, 2009 11:26:52 GMT -8
Thanx Gord ...it just gets more and more challenging,thats why we love it ...live and learn!!So could this sshawk upset my multipoo???
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