[Birdtalk] Cooper's?

[Kristin Purdy]

Jim,

I think your bird is a Sharpie due to the size/proportions of the head to the rest of the body, same dark gray color on the nape as on the crest, beadie-eyed look, and spindly toes. I'm interested in what others think. 

If your perception was that the bird was large, it's likely a female. 

The spotting on the wing coverts and back feathers is common. That's because the basal portion of those feathers is white. When the birds are well-groomed and all the feathers are in place, the white basal portion is neatly tucked under the feather above it and you can't see it. I guess our field guides show well-groomed birds.  

The spotting occurs on both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's. 

Kris
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim & Beanie 
  To: Bird Talk 
  Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:01 PM
  Subject: [Birdtalk] Cooper's?


  I thought this was a Coopers Hawk.  I  estimate the size,  17 inches long.  I know size is hard to get from a photo, but the iron he was perched on gives me something to compare with.  

  The reason I bring this up is the spotting in the wing.   Have you seen this before and does it also occur in the Sharp-shinned?

  I have seen this several times myself,  and also in photos others have taken.  I have never seen this spotting portrayed in any of the bird books I have.  What do you say?

  http://loftsoft.net/jamaica/cooper.jpg
  http://loftsoft.net/jamaica/cooper_0.jpg
  http://loftsoft.net/jamaica/cooper_1.jpg


  Jim

  Paradise Utah


  http://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/nature/default.htm


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