Harrier? (1 Viewer)

[wydspredpanik]

Can someone identify the following bird of prey, possibly a Harrier? This is in Minnesota.
Thanks

 

[lou salomon]

it's a young Cooper's Hawk.

 

[wydspredpanik]

it's a young Cooper's Hawk.

Thank you

 

[birdmeister]

I'd suggest Sharp-shinned for this bird. To me, the underpart streaking is not as crisp as in most Cooper's, especially not in their typical teardrop/tadpole shape. The head appears to be the same shade of cold brown as the wings. In direct comparison to the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the size comparison fits Sharpie better for me, too. Happy to concede differently if the majority feel it's a Cooper's.

 

[Butty]

underpart streaking is not as crisp as in most Cooper's, especially not in their typical teardrop/tadpole shape

The streaking is fine and narrow which is right for Cooper's hawk and wrong for most sharp-shinned hawks (typically blobbier). The feature not visible here is Cooper's hawk's characteristic narrowing of the streaking as it goes towards the lower belly, but that may just be because there's not enough belly visible.

head appears to be the same shade of cold brown as the wings

Not an ID feature, AFAIK.
Head/bill-shape is difficult to judge but forehead looks sloping which is right for Cooper's hawk (steep in sharp-shinned hawk). If the OP has photos which show the head more side-on it would be helpful.

 

[Butty]

Happy to concede differently if the majority feel it's a Cooper's.

Oh, never say that! 🙁 We're after reasons, not just the tyranny of the majority 👍🏼

 

[wydspredpanik]

I'd suggest Sharp-shinned for this bird. To me, the underpart streaking is not as crisp as in most Cooper's, especially not in their typical teardrop/tadpole shape. The head appears to be the same shade of cold brown as the wings. In direct comparison to the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the size comparison fits Sharpie better for me, too. Happy to concede differently if the majority feel it's a Cooper's.

Yeah, I've struggled with identification. I sent this pic to the MN DNR and they responded with "young Cooper's Hawk", including a lot of info on other potentials, such as Goshawk, Sharp-Shinned, etc. All I know is that except for the demise of the woodpecker, it was a fantastic show.
BTW, great username Mr. "BirdMeister".

 

[AveryBartels]

I would also favour Cooper's for the reasons stated by Butty. Brow also seems a bit more pronounced than I would expect for Sharpie.