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.

E

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.

Probably goshawk- photo

 January 26 2021- from Whatbird. The last photo number7. Title— Various hawks, by Nonamecreek.

This last photo is probably a Goshawk, does not matter if it might have been photographed in Texas.

Check out the not very long tail. It is severely wedge shaped. With a sharp- pointed tail tip. The under tail coverts are streaked. The chest and belly streaking is extensive. It is possible, I suggest, but am not certain, that the streaking may have been very thick, as observed on some, many?, NG. Notice the legs are not of S.S. Hawk. There is not enough of a white eye- line to express an opinion. Notice— Beware of other birders’ opinions. When a NG, as perched, does show a wedge shaped tail, then the tail is or often is, in some ,(many) cases, not accipiter long.NB.

The Thought— A good read—Eating Dirt. Charlotte Gill. DeepForests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree- Planting Tribe. NB.

Why I bird alone

 Because I bird alone you could call me a Stringer. If you are with me in the field and I point out a Goshawk soaring quite far away, or if a NG is ripping through at about 100 feet altitude, even if you are an advanced birder, you will come away from the experience with an expression of : well, maybe it was a Harrier, or a Falcon, or an accipiter, but I am not confident in my evaluation. 

This experience is disheartening. That is why I bird alone. 

The Thought — Be alert, be aware. Take care of yourself. NB.