Cooper's Hawk or Goshawk? (1 Viewer)

[thamnophis]

Hello -
We had a bunch of amazed students watching this hawk eating a pigeon it plucked from one of our university buildings today. It happily ate its meal with us grouped 15 feet away.

I thought it was an immature female cooper's hawk, but looking at its size and eye stripe am wondering now if it might be a goshawk?

The picture gallery is here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thamnophis/CooperSOrGoshawk

 

[thamnophis]

Sorry, this was in Ames, Iowa - central Iowa, US.

joe

 

[AmpelisChinito]

I think you're right about Cooper's Hawk. Although, I'm not sure if you can sex juvenile birds from this photograph.

And BTW, welcome to Birdforum. I'm sure one of the moderators will be by to give you a more enthusiastic welcome. I hope you enjoy and are able to utilize what Birdforum has to offer.

 

[rob stoff]

looks like a Goshawk to me, patterned upperparts, streaked neck, obvious supercillium, very stout legs, relatively long wings, large size (compared to the pigeon)

Rob

 

[apbarr]

I agree with Rob, Goshawk for the same reasons

 

[Robert / Seattle]

Juvenile Goshawk for me too - white supercilium, dark nape and overall size. Beautiful bird!

 

[Microtus]

Being cautious here first thing in the morning. But, based strictly on the bird's size relative to the pigeon, it does look promising for a Northern Goshawk.

 

[Larry Lade]

Hi thamnophis,

From all the BirdForum Moderators and Administration, Welcome!

We are glad to have you join us in our appreciation of nature, especially wild birds.

We hope you find this site enjoyable and rewarding.

The bird appears to be a juvenile Northern Goshawk to me also. (as per the reasons given above)

 

[atricapillus]

Howdy,
Here are some characters to consider:
white unstreaked under-tail coverts
dark bands on undertail pretty even across (maybe a little wavy, but not zig-zagged), and not-edged by white
superciliary pretty puny
breast streaking down center largely thinnish, and discrete on largely white background.

This all says Cooper's. The size of this bird would suggest imm. female, as originally suggested by observer.

I believe imm. goshawks would also show more contrast in dark/light bands in primaries (so more similar to its pattern on upperside of tail).
Dark tail bands on goshawks are typically zig-zaggy, and margined thinly by white (whitish), and not quite as broad as in Cooper's.
I know there is variation, but they are generally more uniformly buffy on underparts.

CHEERS, JOE G

 

[birderbf]

I believe the pose it's in gives the illusion of a smaller head. I'm thinking Coopers.

 

[Fast_falkon]

I agree with Goshawk see above for reasons

 

[thamnophis]

I believe the pose it's in gives the illusion of a smaller head. I'm thinking Coopers.

Did you see the other photos in the gallery? (The URL I first posted has changed)They may give a better indication of relative head size, etc:

New gallery URL:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thamnophis/CooperSOrGoshawk

Thanks everyone for your opinions!

Joe

 

[JANJ]

For the reasons made by Joe G the Hawk is a juvenile Cooper´s.

Also check more images of it available above.

JanJ

 

[cavan wood]

Wasn't sure at first, but after looking at the links to additional photos, I agree with coopers, for reasons given by Joe.

Scott

 

[gerdwichers8]

Joe G applied the right set of features for the elimination of Gos and the establishing of Cooper's.
Thanks.

 

[rob stoff]

So Sibley's wrong about upperpart pattern then? and where are the rufous head tones of Cooper's?

Rob

 

[Gentoo]

I'm going with Cooper's largely for the reasons already mentioned. But also, when I look at the size compared to a pigeon which is almost eaten completely, it seems within the range of a female Cooper's to me. Goshawks dwarf pigeons.

 

[thamnophis]

So this is a male Cooper's then?

It seems like the balance has shifted to coopers. The one in the photos attached here must be an adult male coopers (or sharp shin?) then since it was very much smaller than the immature pictured above. This one was preying on the sparrows at my feeder.

And this (also shot in my backyard) must be an immature male coopers too, since it was about the size of the adult in the photo.

Video link:
http://www.vimeo.com/428657

I'm amazed by all this since I've seen so few Cooper's in my life, now it seems like they're closing in on me

Joe

 

[atricapillus]

On the adult, would agree with adult male Cooper's.
Notice, in the first photo, the tail tips--outmost are shortest, layering into the middle ones.
Tail tips also have broad buffy/whitish tips--also consistent with Cooper's
This bird also has a capped appearance, most consistent with male Cooper's.
CHEERS, JOE G

 

[danehower]

I think Joe G is giving a good clinic here - And I dont mean to diverge , but as with all these photos for ID on Accipiters - why are they always juvies or non-adult? Is it just that adults are that more proficient at killing that they are not seen as much ? Is it that the feeders stations are amature hour for accipts? Just wondering.