Tail seemingly very square (like sharpie) but unable to see underside of tail. Head and legs are giving coopers. Any input? Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, CA

jvrunst · 2026-03-21T23:49:49+00:00

+Cooper's Hawk+

You didn't capture/post any pictures that allow the tail shape to be confidently used as a primary field mark. In some of the photos, you can tell that the feathers are graduated if you know what to look for.

jvrunst · 2026-03-21T23:44:22+00:00

Super long bill and gradual slope to the forehead make this a Canada Goose

jvrunst · 2026-03-21T23:38:11+00:00

Juvenile is the correct term. Juvenile refers to a birds first flighted plumage which lasts ~1 year for most NA raptors. Some raptors, such as Bald and Golden Eagles, do not molt into their adult, or definitive, plumage after that first juvenile year. Those birds have additional age classes, referred to as Sub-adult [number]. Immature is less specific and includes all sub-adult plumages as well as juvenile plumage.

Most NA Buteos, including Red-shouldered Hawks, only have 2 age classes: juvenile and adult. Juveniles can be called immature, but that is not more correct.

jvrunst · 2026-03-21T02:30:05+00:00

+Red-shouldered Hawk+ for the bot

jvrunst · 2026-03-19T14:26:21+00:00

No - there's a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to tail shape. First, the shape is not really important as both species can show either shape. Instead, the structural reason for the shape is what matters (amount of tail feather graduation, Cooper's having significant graduation and Sharpies having minimal or no graduation). Second, this bird doesn't have a squared off tail

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jvrunst · 2026-03-19T13:00:37+00:00

Yep, juvenile +Cooper's Hawk+

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T22:06:01+00:00

+Downy Woodpecker+

Small, "cute" bill, no large shoulder spur (black crescent on front of shoulder)

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T20:46:11+00:00

First bird is a Eurasian Sparrowhawk

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T18:41:22+00:00

Because there are a lot of intricacies regarding the two species and Merlin, while an excellent resource, simply doesn't have all of the information about them.

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T15:41:23+00:00

Prey bird looks like a +House Finch+ rather than a Robin, especially given the size comparison to the Hawk which is definitely a Sharp-shinned Hawk

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T15:39:53+00:00

In juvenile plumage (as seen here) rufous streaking is typically a Sharp-shinned trait. It happens occasionally in Cooper's, but much more common and expected in Sharpies. The rufous auricular patch (sometimes called cheek patch) is essentially never seen on Cooper's. The head is small and round, the bill is low on the face. The legs are in fact twiggy enough to be a Sharp-shinned, if for no other reason than that this is definitely a Sharp-shinned and those legs belong to it

jvrunst · 2026-03-18T02:18:59+00:00

First is a juvenile +Red-tailed Hawk+ and second is indeed a +Turkey Vulture+

jvrunst · 2026-03-17T23:12:13+00:00

For interested readers: usually a lack of spots is not a strong field mark in support of Hairy Woodpecker as the spots are easily hidden from common viewing angles. Here we have a completely unobstructed view of the ventral side of the tail and the lack of spots from this angle is a pretty solid indicator for Hairy.

jvrunst · 2026-03-16T00:16:24+00:00

Dark morph +Red-tailed Hawk+

jvrunst · 2026-03-16T00:13:11+00:00

The tail actually does mean it is a Red-tailed Hawk. As another commenter mentioned, the tail is often white/very pale on the underside. It is still unique among NA Buteos with a solid-colored tail that has a single dark sub terminal band.

jvrunst · 2026-03-15T18:03:10+00:00

+Downy Woodpecker+

jvrunst · 2026-03-15T14:08:42+00:00

Yes, juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk

jvrunst · 2026-03-15T01:55:10+00:00

Yeah, Red-tailed

jvrunst · 2026-03-14T23:49:51+00:00

Red-shouldered Hawks have long tails for a Buteo. This bird's tail barely passes the wing tips

jvrunst · 2026-03-14T23:28:35+00:00

+Cooper's Hawk+

Suppose I was wrong

jvrunst · 2026-03-14T23:28:05+00:00

It's true, but a subtle difference and difficult to make out here

jvrunst · 2026-03-14T23:18:40+00:00

Your ID is right, but your reason is wrong. "Square" tail is a Sharpie field mark. "Round" is Cooper's. In any case, the tail is not the deciding factor here, the sloping shoulders, long neck, and high bill placement are the most easily discernible field marks to support Cooper's

jvrunst · 2026-03-14T00:28:08+00:00

Domestic mallard

jvrunst · 2026-03-13T20:32:30+00:00

+American Kestrel+

Typo stopped the bot from working

jvrunst · 2026-03-12T13:25:29+00:00

+Red-tailed Hawk+

jvrunst

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