Backyard predator

[BrentC]

Looked out into the backyard and found the feeders devoid of birds, maybe had something to do with this guy perching on the fence staring at the feeders.

Red-tailed Hawk by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

Red-tailed Hawk by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

 

[smoke665]

Nice. Was that the wind ruffling the feathers in the first one, or the remainder of catch?

 

[BrentC]

Nice. Was that the wind ruffling the feathers in the first one, or the remainder of catch?

That was the wind. I checked and no blood or catch.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set but that is a juvenile coopers or sharp shinned hawk not red tailed hawk

 

[BrentC]

Nice set but that is a juvenile coopers or sharp shinned hawk not red tailed hawk

What? You can't tell the difference between the two? I am starting to doubt your identifying abilities!

Just kidding Logan. I looked in the guide and they look so much alike. Looks like the tail would have been a good indication but I checked all my photos of him and don't have good shot of the tail. I has to grab my camera fast before he took off. I'm surprised he didn't take right off when I opened the sliding door.

Just the way his feathers are layered on the back I think he may be a sharp shinned hawk.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set but that is a juvenile coopers or sharp shinned hawk not red tailed hawk

What? You can't tell the difference between the two? I am starting to doubt your identifying abilities!

Just kidding Logan. I looked in the guide and they look so much alike. Looks like the tail would have been a good indication but I checked all my photos of him and don't have good shot of the tail. I has to grab my camera fast before he took off. I'm surprised he didn't take right off when I opened the sliding door.

Just the way his feathers are layered on the back I think he may be a sharp shinned hawk.

i can only tell them apart by size coopers is normally bigger then a crow sharp shinned are closer to kestrel size but a bit bigger so more like merlin size

 

[BrentC]

Nice set but that is a juvenile coopers or sharp shinned hawk not red tailed hawk

What? You can't tell the difference between the two? I am starting to doubt your identifying abilities!

Just kidding Logan. I looked in the guide and they look so much alike. Looks like the tail would have been a good indication but I checked all my photos of him and don't have good shot of the tail. I has to grab my camera fast before he took off. I'm surprised he didn't take right off when I opened the sliding door.

Just the way his feathers are layered on the back I think he may be a sharp shinned hawk.

i can only tell them apart by size coopers is normally bigger then a crow sharp shinned are closer to kestrel size but a bit bigger so more like merlin size

Then I would say it's a sharp shinned.

 

[b_twill]

Very nice!
I always say our feeders are equal opportunity bird feeders! Occasionally I'll find evidence of a hawks meal blowing around in a wind.