Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Bathing Hawk

 

AccipiterBathing is vital for feather maintenance.AccipiterBut being in the water out in the open can make you fairly vulnerable if you’re not a buoyant, oily-feathered waterfowl. AccipiterThis small Accipiter found a weeping something or other arching over the water use as a shower curtain.AccipiterAccipiterThe bird stood in the water for quite a while and scanned all about before dipping tail and breast into the water, then repeating this several times between fairly long intervals of keep a sharp hawk-eye out.
AccipiterI was sitting, sometimes crouching, to hold the camera just above the ground to try to zoom under the overhanging branches. AccipiterAccipiterSo… which Accipiter is this? Male Cooper’s, female Sharp-shinned?AccipiterI see characteristics of both here. No wonder this is one of the great challenges of North American birding.

mthew

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7 responses to “Bathing Hawk”

  1. elwnyc

    My first impression is immature sharp-shinned, but I’d like to hear what better birders think.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Immature, to be sure.

      Reply
  2. Paul Lamb

    This bird was looking at YOU, obviously. “A little privacy would be nice!”

    Reply
  3. TrufflesnChai

    Yes, I’d love to know. A few years ago, we had our peach face lovebird on the back patio sunning, and a hawk that looked just like this landed on top of the cage. Needless to say, poor bird was cowering at the bottom of the cage. He was very quiet for a few days. Thankfully, no permanent PTSD. Up to his old tricks soon after.

    Reply
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  5. Shannon

    Doesn’t look like Cooper’s to me, so SSH is my bet. Size to distinguish which species matters, and it’s hard to get perspective of that here. Great shots, however!!

    Reply
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