Can you help? Who is this bird?
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I wasn't able to capture this guy in the open, only perched high in a tree. This photo was taken in Death Valley National Park, in Furnace Creek - an oasis of green in the midst of the desert. I believe it is a hawk of some sort, but the photos I've found online as I searched for identification didn't really help. At first I thought maybe it is a Swainson's Hawk, but then again I wasn't really sure.
Bird list for Death Valley National Park is at http://www.nps.gov/deva/naturescience/upload/DEVA_Birdlist.pdf.
![220048213-XL.jpg](http://Denise.smugmug.com/photos/220048213-XL.jpg)
Any ideas?
Oh, and thanks for looking!
--- Denise
Bird list for Death Valley National Park is at http://www.nps.gov/deva/naturescience/upload/DEVA_Birdlist.pdf.
![220048213-XL.jpg](http://Denise.smugmug.com/photos/220048213-XL.jpg)
Any ideas?
Oh, and thanks for looking!
--- Denise
https://www.denisegoldberg.com ... https://denise.smugmug.com
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
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Comments
Coarse brown streaks on chest identify it.
According to my Sibley's Guide.
They are Rare to uncommon in that area and a nice find!!
Manfrotto Mono | Bag- LowePro Slingshot 100AW
http://www.graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
My website | NANPA Member
They do look both VERY similar.
Sharp Shinned = Has coarse brown streaks + Legs are thin (Which is what I see)
Coopers = Thin dark streaks + Legs are fatter (Which I don't see)
It's the Sharp Shinned that is known to hit birds at the feeder!
Here you decide.....links from Cornell
Sharp Shinned
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk.html
Coopers
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Coopers_Hawk_dtl.html
Manfrotto Mono | Bag- LowePro Slingshot 100AW
http://www.graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/
The Cooper's Hawk "Dark crown contrasts with nape, and Tail ends in white tail band, back dark gray or gray-brown, underparts barred reddish and white."
And yet, the Sharp-shinned hawk "Tail long, barred, and ends with a square tip, adults with blue-gray back and wings, reddish barring on underparts." Yup, those things are true too.
Having two reasonable choices feels better than no reasonable choices - maybe it's a built-in excuse to go back to Death Valley. Too bad I live on the opposite side of the country!
Thanks to all for jumping in.
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
“PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”
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I went to a talk by a local biologist about raptors in my area. Unlike a lot of raptors the Cooper's Hawk has been able to adapt very well to suburban habitat. Especially as the neigborhoods trees mature. But both the Sharpies and the Coopers will visit bird feeders, and baths.
My website | NANPA Member