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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Is It a Hawk?

Yesterday this fellow flew into the school's side door where we enter everyday. He was stunned for a bit and then was taken over to the old rusted chain link barrier where he sat to be photographed. At that time I did not know who had taken the pictures. I was just handed  the SD card, and asked to identify the hawk. I said I would put the photos up on my blog and see if one of my birding blogger friends could help me out. Today at lunch I found out that it was our reading specialist and yearbook sponsor, Amy Woody, who had taken them so I need to give her all the credit for the great shots.  Now, the question is....what is he? I got out my Sibley book, and my guess is he's a hawk and possibly a northern goshawk. I do not see any orange on the head, his tail bands are uneven, and he looks speckled. So, I have decided it is not a cooper's hawk ( that is what one of the staff thinks it might be) but rather a juvenile goshawk...or a juvenile sharp-shinned hawk (a suggestion from TexWis Girl). His feathers look brownish in some shots and grayish in others depending upon the lighting. I may have it all wrong, but I am trying. Remember, I am a true new-be to the identification of nature's fauna.I need all the help I can get. As for Amy's pictures, I think she did one fine job.  






This post is linked with The Bird Depot at I'd Rather Be Birdin'

20 comments:

  1. i would guess sharp-shinned hawk, maybe.

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  2. What wonderful pictures. I never fret too much about who or what they are. I just enjoy them as birds. You did really great here.

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  3. No idea of the ID but he's a very handsome fellow! Great photos.

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  4. I can't ID it for you but you got some wonderful shots of him!
    I'm assuming he recovered and flew away after the portrait session. :)

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  5. Awesome photos! That rusty chain is a great perch! I'm not a bird expert, but I agree it looks like a Sharp-shinned Hawk. It does have some similarities to a Goshawk, but I'm leaning more toward the former. Very nice photos!

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  6. Your photo reminded me that last week I photographed a hawk in my backyard that looks very similar to this one. Looking in my bird guide book I thought it was a Cooper's Hawk. I'll post it on my blog tomorrow.

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  7. You've done a fantastic job!! The critical part of capturing criters is to have their eyes in focus, because it's the first thing you look at. The chain is a great perch. TexWis girl is my go-to person for bird identification.

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  8. At first I thought...Merlin....but a Merlin, I believe has dark black eyes. I would say maybe a young sharp shinned hawk? Your guess is as good as mine. LOL

    I want to thank you for linking up at the Bird D'Pot this week. And, hope to see you again whenever you have bird photos to share.

    I enjoyed these images. They're great. I especially love the composition of it perched on the rusty chain links.

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  9. Young Sharp-shinned. The Goshawk would have a larger white tip on the tail. Also the back of a Goshawk will be more strongly patterned. Thank goodness we can shoot first and ask questions later in this digital age. Wonderful shots.

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  10. i have not a clue but super photos! and perfect that he sat on the cool rusty chain link for you!

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  11. What perfectly beautiful photos Genie - you have captured the magnificant greatness of the bird and imagine he posed for you. Keep this up and all nature people will be after your photos. Great Job!!

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  12. What fabulous photos of this majestic bird! We had one land across the street a few days ago but my camera does not have a very good zoom. Neat to see though!

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  13. just look at those menacing eyes.... love it

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  14. TexWs girl seem to be right. It is a juvenile Sharp-shinned hawk

    http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk/id


    re your question. It is a spotting scope the woman is carrying. I have a similar one.

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  15. Wonderful captures. Look at those magnificent tail feathers!

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  16. Great pictures even if I cant help with the ID - but there seems to be a consensus growing in the comments.

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  17. Looks like a Sharpie to me. You got excellant photos too!
    Yes, you can take the Yankee parking sign. I got that one Christmas from my sister that is a died in the wool Pirates fan. Enjoy!
    I did see A-Rod was staying, and I suppose that's a good thing if he would get busy and start hitting the long balls! I was sorry though to see Russell Martin leave, but there again the Pirates win. I wish Cervelli would come back. I see potential there.
    A beautiful day here, but rain on the way. Have a good one!

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  18. Tex is right, she is always right ;)))

    A beauty of a capture, I photographed one recently and just about wet my pants! An exciting moment!!

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  19. Great shots! I agree with young Sharp-shinned.

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