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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Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned Hawk?

 Posted on May 1 2021

From SW PA. I say this accipiter is NG or Sharp- shinned Hawk. It is blocky or bulky. The tail is broad while gliding. The wings are broad. The hawk appears to have very little waist. I am not interested in bar charts. I am interested on the photograph. From the observer— The hawk went high overhead. But, how high? The bird was acrobatic. High plus acrobatic, to me means the hawk was not a Cooper’s. The best, Nelson. NB.

Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned

 From Whatbird— posted April 10 2021

Two photos of same bird in mid- Mich.

This accipiter with very long wings and very broad wings could be a goshawk. The tail- tip is certainly not round, which leads away from Cooper’s. However, the tail is not broad and the hawk has a waist, leading away from NG. Yet, I get the feeling the hawk is looming, just drifting along, which means it is not a Cooper’s nor S.S. Hawk. 

Again, the photographer will make zero comment as to what he/she observed. In other words, what was the altitude of the hawk. How was the hawk behaving. What was the size of the hawk. To get to the point: This is why NG are being observed in many areas of the U.S., but not being reported, and in cities, suburbs, pasture land and bottom lands. Also, notice: Goshawk is left out of riddle. I could say left out of the story— but the problem is that there is no story! I say— Tony Leukering should re- examine his evaluation. NB.

I got fooled

 Yesterday, I lifted off from my chair in bedroom, upstairs. I live on a steep ridge line, half way up a steep hill. I overlook the town of Anacortes,Wa. A silver and grey bird was pumping rapidly and    had a long tail and was very chunky. And went down onto a telephone pole. This area is near two large feeder stations. I have never observed a NG perched in this area. I was sure the bird was a NG and mature and male. I grabbed camera and walked near the area. The vocals of the bird were of a EC. Dove. More than once I have been fooled (initially) by this species, usually on take off or landing. On reflecting from the bedroom window, as the bird came close to the house and was pumping rapidly, the bird was also tilted, and tilted for too long of a period of time. I should have known better, than to call it an accipiter. NB. 

Hawk, Ontario, This Weekend

 Posted on April O5, 2021– On What bird.com

On Amherst Island

Nelson says— This hawk is an accipiter. The legs appear to be heavy or large. The accipiter certainly appears to be NG— because the chest and belly are clear. It is as simple as possible. However, there is a small chance that a Cooper’s Hawk can have chest and belly markings that are barely visible.NB.

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photo on whatbird

 Photo on whatbird. Title — Two hawks— not my observation. Feb.10 - 2021. I say that this perched bird and in flight could be a Cooper’s Hawk, and probably is a COHA. The streaking is not thick. The head is flattened. And in winter, COHA, can become bulky.NB.

I am sorry...

 When you see or hear of Sharp- shinned Hawks, you should always insert the word Goshawk into the meaning.

Goshawks have rather broad wings, similar to a buteo’s wing. The wing tips are pointed— in active flight. The wing shape is clean- cut, is well defined. The wings move symmetrically. The wings are shaped symmetrically.

The Cooper’s Hawk’s wings at times are not symmetrical, and they do not have to move in symmetry. I’m sorry that you have not read of this condition. But, you do not have to read about it in order to observe it. NB.

The Thought— In the near future there may be strikes throughout the U.S. Maybe even the Army and the National Guard. This will happen in order get politicians to understand what the people are complaining about. Also, there will be world-wide boycotts against the Tech Tyrants. And a world- wide boycott against Chinese products. This is strictly my take on the situations.Sorry. NB.