Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk?

by Sandy Lewis
(London, Ontario, Canada)


This guy visited the backyard presumably after spotting sparrows at my feeders.

Not sure if it is a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Does anyone know?

Thankfully (though not for the hawk), no one was hurt during the visit.

Thank you for sending us this info and such a great shot of this hawk! It looks like a Cooper's Hawk to me, but perhaps other readers will know for sure!

I will also post this on our facebook page.

Comments for Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk?

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starstarstarstarstar 		Raptor ID
by: Anonymous

Beautiful raptor, one is sitting in our bird bath right now. Had to look it up and see what kind of raptor it is.
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starstarstarstarstar 		What Kind of Hawk Was It?
by: Anonymous

Sunday, December 7th, 2014. I have spent two hours this afternoon observing a Hawk in our locust tree in North Toronto that overlooks our three feeders (sunflower seeds, nijer seeds and peanuts). Firstly I noticed that the yard was unusually bereft of any birds. Then I saw the Hawk. What variety? I searched The Audubon Field Guide and the internet. Then the feature that was most evident to me than other other was described in a source: Red Eyes. They are so unique and so beautiful. So go no further: A Cooper's Hawk.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: Sandy

Thanks for your help everyone. S/he's been back a couple of times since, so I guess it's time to bring the feeders in for a couple of weeks.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bird ID
by: D

I agree Sandy with Alison and Kevin, definitely a Coopers Hawk.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Its A Coopers
by: Kevin

That is most definitely a Cooper's Hawk, they have the copper barring on the chest !
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Coopers Hawk
by: Alison

I have the same hawk visit my yard, mostly during the winter months. It has sat on my back deck railing, right outside the door, much to my delight. The female is a buffy brown colour. I looked in my book and came to the same decision, Coopers Hawk. It was in my maple tree above the bird feeder last night around 5 pm. I love all birds and am overjoyed to have this amazing beauty in my yard, even if it is there for a meal from one of the feeder birds. Many people don't appreciate birds of prey when they come around the bird feeders, but there are a lot less hawks than finches, and they are absolutely magnificent.

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