I was very excited this morning when this beautiful sparrowhawk landed on the path just outside the window when I was having breakfast. It waited patiently while I reached for my camera (which is never very far away) and then posed nicely while I took several photos. I think this is a female as it was a brownish colour. Phil @phil_sandford might be able to confirm that.
@phil_sandford If you are a bird expert can you tell me the difference between sparrow hawks and Cooper's hawks? I have one that visits my garden occasionally and I thought it was a Cooper's but it looks a lot like this.
@gardencat I’m by no means an expert, but they are the same genus. Coopers is generally N America, Sparrowhawk Europe.
The Cooper's hawk is a member of the genus Accipiter, sometimes referred to as "true hawks" (and the members of which are at times commonly referred to as goshawks or sparrowhawks). Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from southern Canada to Mexico.
Wonderful info your photo has brought up Sue. That stare is rather mesmerising. Quite bold to land in your garden….hope she’s not after your regular birds!
The Cooper's hawk is a member of the genus Accipiter, sometimes referred to as "true hawks" (and the members of which are at times commonly referred to as goshawks or sparrowhawks). Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from southern Canada to Mexico.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper%27s_hawk#:~:text=The%20Cooper's%20hawk%20is%20a,to%20as%20goshawks%20or%20sparrowhawks).&text=They%20appear%20to%20be%20a,albeit%20a%20distantly%20related%20one.