Eastern Ohio Hawk

 From Whatbird on Aug.7 2021

This hawk is not lanky. Therefore, it probably is not a Cooper’s. It is probably a S.S. hawk, or a NG. NB. Going back to strong precautions to protect from the FLU. NB.

Dust-up over a photo

 Second title— Photos as related to bar charts.

On Whatbird— Title: Hawk; Lake George CO, Sept. Posted on June 19, 2021. The author: Kansa bird guy.

The photo was taken in Lake George in Sept. 2020.

Kansa bird guy is begging for the photo to be analyzed. I say, in other words, go by the bird, not by the book. Or in this case the photo, not the bar chart.

This subject is very emotional topic within my area of contemplation and mesmerizing. To me the wing structure does not nail the species or eliminate Red-tailed Hawk. However, I am leaning strongly toward Rough- legged Hawk. Because of the field marks of the wing. Be kind— Be water. I suggest the art- work on page 44. Hawks in Flight. Especially example (a) immature. Copyright 1988. NB

Goshawk- Anacortes: Wed. 5 12 2021 PM.

 While sitting in car at Safeway Parking lot, a goshawk was heading toward me at about 150 feet    altitude. The hawk was bothered by  three small birds. The hawk wing beats were rapid

 and flexible. The hawk drifted toward Cap Sante Bluff and the woods, as it circled. NB.

The Thought:  Many more Asians are going into practicing Medicine. So that they can treat Black  People.  NB.

Raptor ID- Maybe a goshawk?

 Whatbird.com— Posted on May 08, 2021.

This bird- hawk is not a NG. The bird appears to have a broad tail— but not accipiter- long. This hawk is also not a S. S. Hawk. Because the wing configuration is not of a large arm- small hand. This photo is of a bird with a small arm- large hand configuration.

The Thought: We took a ride through Anacortes, after 3 pm. It was somewhat strange— more like a Sunday. Very few people about, but every one except one, were not wearing masks. Still, I would not take many chances. The best, NB.

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.