Hi Tweets,

Janet Keen writes:

>I thought
>they were Red-Tails, because the call was the distinctive Red-Tail call, an
>"asthmatic squeal, keer-r-r, slurring downward" (as Peterson describes it).
>However, this evening I was finally able to spot these two birds, and I was
>surprised to discover what I believe were two immature Sharpies. These
>birds were very active, flying through the dense trees, calling virtually
>continuously.

Continuous calling at this time of year suggests that Junior(s) is hungry
and wants food *now*! The call as described also fits newly-fledged juv
Cooper's Hawks Accipiter cooperi, of which there's more than a few out there
(and much more likely in the city than Sharp-shinned A. striatus, though a
few Sharpies might rarely nest further south and further down the hill than
usual--there's one or two nesting records for Vancouver BC). Juv Red-tailed
Hawks Buteo jamaicensis have a clear, almost plover-like incessant call,
where the adult 'scream' is quite hoarse, keeyerrrrrrr, more stress on
second syllable.

Nice timing, ran into three juv Coops calling as Janet describes early this
morning while cycling through a heavily-treed neighborhood in south
Vancouver. Individuals sure hear differently--I looked for a sapsucker
before I saw these kids crashing around from tree to tree. I watched a pair
of them looking in my direction with 'Whoa, dude--breakfast!' kind of look,
but couldn't tell if they were looking at me or my bike. These young birds
have so much to learn.

Michael Price A brave world, Sir,
Vancouver BC Canada full of religion, knavery, and change;
mprice at mindlink.net we shall shortly see better days.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689)