Greetings Noah and all, (in reference to the immature accipiter in the link in the previous email) this is indeed a Cooper's Hawk. From this singular photo, without a full body shot for ideal observation of proportions, we're left to frontal field marks. On this bird, the streaking is entirely too fine and widespread for Gos, the face too punched in and "surprised" (Gos is buteo-like and more fierce), and the underparts streaking too fine and scattered. Overall, while size is difficult to judge without comparison(s), the bird is too sleek and well-proportioned. Goshawk is a large, bulky bird, more like a buteo. Goshawks are heavy, built, more reminiscent of Red-shouldered immature, or small immature Red-tailed in overall girth and proportion.
Immature accipiter ID is one of the most tricky ID complications in the states.
In this case, while this bird appears to have a clear and defined white supercilium, the full span of ID marks does not add up to Gos. Many Cooper's can show clear eye-lines but all marks must add up.
Great example of a tough ID "quiz"
Best of birding-
JB
Jen Brumfield
Cleveland, OH
Bird illustrator and birding tour guide
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www.jenbrumfield.com
www.northnw.wordpress.com
On Jan 30, 2012, at 7:00 PM, Noah Comet <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi again,
>
> A few folks replied off-list to my earlier post about the Goshawk/Cooper's
> confusion at Whatbird.com. While I'm still leaning Cooper's, and that's
> what all the OHIO-BIRDS respondents have said too, a few very knowledgeable
> and detail-oriented birders on the site have made a case for Goshawk and
> are sticking to their guns. Since some smart people are saying this might
> indeed be a Goshawk, I thought I'd follow up on it. If you're interested,
> I'd recommend reading through the entire thread:
>
> http://www.whatbird.com/Forums/forums/1/288481/ShowThread.aspx
>
> I've requested further location details from the person who saw and
> photographed this bird, so if you're interested in trying to find it, keep
> an eye on the thread.
>
> Best,
> Noah
>
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