Immature Cooper's Hawk & Sharp-shinned Hawk comparison
It is often difficult to identify immature or juvenile Sharp-shinned (accipiter striatus) vs Cooper's Hawks (accipiter cooperii). This composite of the two birds, both photographed on the same fence (2 inch picket width), but at different times, points out some of the more obvious differences. The bird on the left is most likely a male sharpie based on his small size while the bird on the right is most likely a female Cooper's. A female Sharpie would be closer to the same size as a male Cooper's.
Notice the thin legs for which the Sharpie is named.
Immature Cooper's Hawk & Sharp-shinned Hawk comparison
It is often difficult to identify immature or juvenile Sharp-shinned (accipiter striatus) vs Cooper's Hawks (accipiter cooperii). This composite of the two birds, both photographed on the same fence (2 inch picket width), but at different times, points out some of the more obvious differences. The bird on the left is most likely a male sharpie based on his small size while the bird on the right is most likely a female Cooper's. A female Sharpie would be closer to the same size as a male Cooper's.
Notice the thin legs for which the Sharpie is named.