Whose pantaloons might these be?
This was a first - a Sharp-shinned Hawk! I do have the occasional hawks swooping in, but usually it’s the larger but similar looking Coopers Hawk. There are several ways to keep them apart but two ID features are “pencil thin legs” and the size. All the other Hawks I have seen in my yard had more sturdy legs and were larger, raptor large. This guy is so much more compact! I am also adding a Blue Jay, for comparison. I don’t think there were any casualties. This morning, while still laying in bed in the dark, I could also hear an owl hooting. Raptors are so neat.
Video: A new pond visitor
I love it when a new bird comes and the pond cam lens is clean. (I run out all the time to wipe it but sometimes my timing is off. It's a good workout in this weather 😁)
I am thinking immature Cooper's. Never had any other ones here and it feels like the legs and overall size are bigger than a Sharp-shinned.
Things are a bit quiet here
at the moment, and I wonder if this guy has anything to do with it. This is a Cooper’s Hawk, and he is way too big for the house he chose. Now that the trees have lost many of their leaves, they have an easier time to watch the feeding stations. Have a wonderful Friday!