Sharp-shinned (Accipiter striatus) and Cooper’s (Accipiter cooperii) hawks commonly prey on feeder birds, and they are frequently reported by FeederWatchers. Despite their common occurrence, these hawks present a significant identification problem for many beginning and intermediate (and even more advanced!) birders. Throughout the year, there is great variation in plumage and in size for these two species. Therefore, perhaps more than any other similar-looking pair, no single field mark is likely to distinguish one species from the other. Instead, the careful observer must use a combination of field marks and draw from the overall "gestalt" of the hawk for proper identification. No field guide will substitute plenty of practice in the field for this pair.

Another one of my (many) hobbies is bird-watching. I've got a shelf full of bird books, and keep a list identifying every bird that stops by the feeders outside my office window. One big advantage to the office location, is that they're those mirrored windows which I can see out of, but the birds can't see in. So I regularly get *really* close looks at the birds as they perch right next to (and sometimes right on) the sill.

There's a hawk that's been visiting lately though, that even with all my books, I'm not certain how to identify. So I was pleased to find this page showing that I'm not alone! I'm pretty sure now that she's a young Cooper's Hawk. And that she's patiently waiting for prey in the form of other smaller birds that visit my feeder. Which probably explains why I haven't been needing to refill the feeders as much lately! ;)

Identifying Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks