Well, it’s an accipiter. I struggle sometimes with Cooper’s Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk. This is one of those two. I’m not expert enough to be sure from this view, but if you forced me to pick one I’d choose Cooper’s Hawk.
cooper’s hawk! it was eating a squirrel but i didnt manage to catch that. i had to crawl under a hedge to get to it, lost my balance on the way back and fell over
I didn’t expect to see this guy on my feeder when I stepped out inning my patio. I wasn’t ready to shoot, I had my tripod in one hand and my camera which was off in the other. I flipped out the power and propped my 600mm on the arm holding the tripod and squeezed off a few shots. Thinking this is an immature Sharp-shinned or Coopers Hawk #hawk #birdsofprey #hawksofinstagram #birds #birding #birdphotography #naturephotography #naturelovers #waxhaw (at Waxhaw, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpGQoPjh_7X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=x1f65f4u74tt
I’m leaning Cooper’s based on the relatively thin, dark streaks on the breast and belly and the relatively thick legs.