Hawk/Falcon in Irvine, (Southern) California (1 Viewer)

[Common Raven]

Greetings birders,
This afternoon I came across this bird at San Joaquin Marsh Irvine Wildlife Sanctuary. Size looked like in-between a sharpie and a cooper's hawk - maybe closer to a cooper's hawk. Any suggestions and/or help is appreciated!

 

[ceasar]

Mature Red-shouldered Hawk. You can see the red on the shoulder. Narrow white tail bands are also another ID feature. Sharpy or Coopers tail bands would be dark and light grey. It's a bit bigger than a Coopers Hawk.
Bob

 

[shishmarefbirder]

Yes, Red-shouldered Hawk.

 

[goshawk227]

Agree with Red-shouldered, for the reasons stated above.

 

[AlexC]

Judging size at a distance is always risky, because perspective is easily skewed due to light conditions, distance from target, etc. You should also note that for Accipiters (Sharpies, Coops), tail length would be more contrastingly long (although for Buteos, Red-shoulders' tails aren't anything to scoff at!).