ID Tips: Cooper's Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk

[@davidfrench4477]

I think your ID Tip videos are the best and most thorough out there. I've struggled with many of these pairs, often drawing the chastisement of the eBird reviewers. We must remember that an inexperienced birder has misidentified dozens or hundreds of birds. An experienced birder has misidentified thousands of birds.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much! There's definitely a learning curve and all levels of birders struggle with IDs

[@fishpoem1433]

Excellent video. Helped make a positive ID on a hawk that, sadly, slammed into a kitchen window. Sharp-shinned and one of Mother Nature's works of art. Luckily, I was able to donate it to a college biology program.

[@coldspring624]

I have both and love em. They work my feeders and I have great memories of the different ways they work to take their pray.

[@johnhartley3596]

Great summary. I’ll remember the details while in the field

[@TheOvenbirder]

Very thorough description of the differences! Thanks, I’ll use this a a resource to point others too. One thing I’ll add is that in flight the Cooper’s Hawk’s large head extends out from the leading edge of the wing, making them cross-shaped. Sharp-shinned Hawk’s small head tuck between the elbows of their wing, making them appear headless.

[@aurora571000]

Exactly the type of video I need!

[@eleonoradjurdjic420]

Excellent & Super informative video!! Thank you immensely for clarifying this in such expert detail!!!😍🙏🕊️

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You are so welcome!

[@reagantookhan5801]

I love Hawks!! I had one fly right in front of me twice displaying its beautiful feathers. He recently left me one of his feathers because he knows how much I admire them.

[@debramartinez1975]

Great informative video! I was just trying to figure out what swooped in front of me. I now know what features to pay attention to for an accurate identification.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@acousticshadow4032]

Very comprehensive. Came here because we have had a Sharp-Shinned/Cooper's Hawk living in our New Hampshire neighborhood for over a year now. Saw it again yesterday (Xmas Day, 2022), in fact. Am leaning toward Cooper's Hawk for the tail, but thought the CH gets out of NH for the winter(?). Anyway, am now better equipped to ID this hawk upon next sighting. Thank you.

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

What a great job you did. Probably the best on KZbin--bravo! Your video helped me even further with my ID skills. I just started to realize that it helps me to think of their darker head feather differences if I think of them as different haircuts. Coopers have more of a jar head cut. And I am more certain of my pictures now. I didn't know about the differences in chest feathers in juvies.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much! Glad you found the video useful!

[@heathersalmeron-garcia1075]

Super helpful ID points. I thought I saw a Cooper's, but no it was definitely a Sharp Shinned Hawk. Many thanks for the video.

[@thomascharles44]

Thank you! Finally I feel confident identifying these two

[@arandomcasualgamer3923]

I remember catching a glimpse of an accipiter in my front yard. It was rather large and it flew away after a few seconds. After watching this, I can confirm it was a Cooper's due to its larger size. Thanks for the new lifer!

[@MichaelTims]

Excellent video. I just had a cooper's show up and and wasn't sure what it was. Beautiful bird.

[@Brian..........]

Excellent description and visuals ! Thanks

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You’re welcome!

[@brittnyrv5087]

Wonderful! Wish I had this video when I was a new birder!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks for watching!

[@kateclark7250]

Thank you for these tips.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You’re welcome!

[@soulsur5er]

Living on top of a rural hill in the east I know we have both and especially the big Red Tails. I've seen falcons before too and my spouse was skeptical of this. In summer we frequently see Kestrels (sparrow hawk). Last year one almost hit me on the porch due to stalking my feeders. We are a bit over run with hawks but the crows help keep them at bay or there would be no song birds. When we moved here many years ago we only saw red tails. This channel helps us armatures out a lot! Thanks!!

[@jenisecoronado5555]

Excellent information - thank you!!!

[@dbeachmawmaw]

They are both so beautiful!! Love your videos guys!!

[@dulcamarabuffo]

This is an excellent video. Thanks from Germany.

[@jhuntley575]

I wasn't sure between the two until watching this video. I've been seeing a cooper's hawk last few days hunting around my house

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad that it was helpful!

[@johnhguitar]

Excellent--very helpful...Thanks

[@laniusexcubitor6935]

Well explained and very helpful!

[@carolshannon6449]

thank you! Now I know for sure what I saw a few years ago.

[@mr1pearl]

Great tips thanks 👍

[@chickaddds]

I get to see both of them on a regular basis. Especially the Sharpie.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

I have some fantastic pics of Coopers in my bird bath

[@Duclosxrp]

Great info thanks

[@theWZZA]

Great vid, thanks!

[@laniusexcubitor6935]

Do female sharp-shinned hawks also have this reddish underside? Our Eurasian sparrowhawks look a lot like them, but the males are usually the only ones with this color palette...would be interesting to know

[@BadgerlandBirding]

The adult female Sharp-shinned Hawks should have the reddish stomach wash as well!

[@snowyowl5556]

Are you wondering if you had a Cooper's or a Sharp-shinned Hawk? Well, you had neither. 100% was a northern goshawk don't ask any questions....

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Haha, the Snowy Owl555 guide to Hawks: 1 page, with 1 bird

[@matthewhaverkamp8657]

Cooper's have larger heads that are more pronounced in flight, and Sharp Shins will hunch their wings more forward at the wrists as well.

[@suzettecalleja3122]

Did you mention the difference between their beaks?

[@aknightthatsaysnee5259]

Greetings! It's been awhile! I have a video request; and this current video is a prime example. Can you guys make a video that explains the resident/migration chart that quickly pops up on the right hand side of the screen, and then just as quickly disappears, please? Some of the descriptions are self explanatory, but it's better to hear it from the pros. Thanks! 👍

[@PeregrineBF]

Permanent Resident: Present in the area year-round. Breeding Resident: Present in the area during the bird's breeding season. You'll have to look up when this is, it varies depending on the species, but usually summer and some of spring/fall. Nonbreeding Resident: Present in the area during the bird's nonbreeding season. You'll have to look up when this is, it varies depending on the species, but usually winter and some of spring/fall. Passage Migrant: Present during migration. Again, varies depending on species, usually spring/fall. Introduced: Not native to the area, but a population has established in the area. May be permanent or transitory resident. Uncertain Status: Reliably sighted on a regular basis, but not categorized into one of the above. Vagrant: Rarely sighted in the area. Usually the result of a bird getting blown off course during migration, or getting lost or otherwise ending up outside the normal range.

[@aknightthatsaysnee5259]

@@PeregrineBF Thank you. I just have to get the colors synchronized in my head. 👍

[@ABirdersParadise]

The easiest way to ID them would be if they called while you were watching them, but most of the time they don't.