Another Hawk ID Needed

Taken about a month ago at the Bosque de Apache. Again I thought I knew the ID but the more I look at the image the less sure I am. Thanks so much.

A better look at the face.

Range maps rule out a lot of species. It's a Buteo because of the shape of the body/size. The yellow eye and coloration of the head/breast along with the tail point to either Coopers or Sharp Shinned. Size leads me to believe it's a Juv. Cooper's Hawk. Sibleys was consulted.

- Luke

This looks like a juvie Coopers Hawk Sally, which is not a Buteo but in the Accipiter genus.

Accipter, Luke, but yes, a juvenile Coopers Hawk. I'd guess female by the larger size.

Cooper's was my thought as well.

Drew

Good catch Sally and good photos, I struggled with some of the raptors at Bosque. Agree with the diagnosis.

Thanks, guys. My first thought had been a young Cooper's Hawk but then the pronounced darker necklace had me questioning myself. Most Cooper's Hawks around here don't have that. This time I should have stuck with my initial impression. Happy holidays.

Yea right after I posted this and left work I realized I MEANT to write that it is NOT a Buteo. . . whoops. Thanks all for correcting me!

- Luke

Sally, you're right, this is a Cooper's. The long tail and short wings make it an accipiter, the brown plumage and streaked breast make it an immature bird. In addition to the obvious bulk of the bird (which can be subjective), take a close look at the tail and notice how the outer tail feathers are considerably shorter than the central ones, and on the breast the streaking is rather narrow and crisp. (The darker wash on the upper breast is a little odd and could have been confusing.)