Separating the Accipiters

 One of the better ways to identify accipiters is from photographs. In this exercise the hawk should be near your overhead. To add some “spice” to the exercise— it does not matter if the sky is dark or if the hawk appears to be black. This exercise does not involve color nor pattern.

Cooper’s Hawk (COHA) are generally Lanky. What is the value of generally? I don’t know the answer. I would not be surprised if the value of generally is ninety per cent or more. So, this essay is of the word Lanky, and also the word Blocky or Bulky. NG are bulky, Sharp-shinned Hawks (SSHA) can be blocky. SSHA can also be lanky.

Lanky does not take into account the length nor the proportions of the wing. The goal is to observe the body. Is the body long and thin? Is the tail long and thin? We will not compare the body length to the tail length. The one thing we should determine is if the tail is accipiter- long. We will compare the tail width to the body width. As the body of the COHA tapers toward the base of the tail, we can say that the “body” tapers toward the tail. This appearance makes the hawk appear lanky. In other words , the base of the tail width is narrow. If the base of the tail is wide, then the accipiter is NG or SSHA. But, the tail must be completely folded. If the tail is slightly fanned, then the tail tip will be wider than the base of the tail. This will give the look of the tail to be pinched, at the base. This appearance will make the base of the tail appear to be narrow. And you will be fooled. A completely folded tail has the right- side edge of the tail parallel the the left side edge. And that just about wraps it up. Except, that at times, a NG perched, can have a tail which can appear very or quite short, and the tail will taper toward the tip. It can look as a stiletto. However, in flight the NG will lose the tapered tail appearance. So, to wrap it up: An accipiter with a waist, which makes the hawk appear lanky— is a COHA or a SSHA or not a SSHA. NB.

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