What is this guy?

[amolitor]

I'm thinking Broad Winged Hawk?

 

[Derrel]

Cooper's Hawk, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

maybe? I dunno...

I am assuming this was in your current state, which has five common hawk species, according to your state's fish and game department. Hawks

 

[Overread41]

I'm not expert but it looks like it could be a Broad Winged when compared to the reference book I have. Provided Virginia is on the East side of America its within its territories and the banding and mottled back is fairly distinctive. Pale adult is how the bird is described for the mainland USA region


Could be coopers, but the mottling on the back appears to be stronger in the Broad Winged

 

[Overread41]

Actually scrap that it might be Coopers - the chest of the Broadwing has more banding to it instead of the random splotches (both appear to have back mottling). Also the tail appears a touch long for a broadwing when I compare the plates side by side

 

[The_Traveler]

lots of Cooper's hawks in Mid Atlantic.
I have two that swing through my yard every day or so.

 

[amolitor]

Unfortunately my little friend's tail-end is obscured. It LOOKS squared off, but is in fact hidden behind brickwork.

Best guess at size is 18" forehead to tail-tip, but that's pretty approximate. Biggish crow.

The coloration is tan/brown maybe reddish. Yeah, maybe Cooper's. The b&w is only because that's how I roll, and I like the picture.

First spotted him (or her) on the ground, looking like maybe having a go at a squirrel, which is pretty ballsy. Flew off when I approached with my baby in the stroller. I went and got the camera and the big lens and hunted him (or her) down. Ok, no, I totally failed to, but then happened to glance up as I got home and there he (or she) was basically sitting on my chimney, presumably wondering where I had been and why hadn't I brought the squirrel back?

 

[MSnowy]

I would say Coopers based on head shape and tail length.

 

[tirediron]

I was done at 'bird'...

 

[manaheim]

Manaheim's Law: All birds fall into one of two categories: Duck or Chicken.

This bird is a chicken.

 

[manaheim]

I was done at 'bird'...

You had me at bird?

 

[manaheim]

Help me... bird you...

Help me... bird you!

 

[robbins.photo]

I was done at 'bird'...

Wait, that's a bird?

Ok, sure, I'll go with that.. lol

 

[Didereaux]

I'm thinking Broad Winged Hawk?

View attachment 62234

Almost certainly a juvenile Broad-winged.

 

[Didereaux]

I would say Coopers based on head shape and tail length.

LOL gonna lose your Hawk Merit badge for that one! Almost certainly a juvie Broad-winged. They have four distinct plumage phases.

 

[bulldurham]

I'm going to say an adult Red-Shouldered Hawk