I don't think tail shape is near as reliable on perched
birds as it is on birds in flight.

The better field marks are head shape, bill to head proportion
and head pattern.

This bird shows a (relatively) large bill that is in line with
the top of the head (very little forehead above the bill).
The head is squarish.
I shows a strong cap, but no distinctive supercillium.

All of these are characters that support Cooper's Hawk.

A Sharp-shinned has quite a bit of forehead giving it a
pigeon-like profile, a very round looking head and a fairly
strong supercillium.

http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/photo_file/ssha002.jpg



Mike Patterson wrote:
>
> Hi Tweets,
> Please help me id this hawk which I think is a Coopers Hawk based on his
> more round shaped tail. Photos taken in Seattle, WA(Nov 2001). Here is
> the
> url :
> http://www.nbimages.com/limages/cooper.jpg
>
> The same photo is posted at another bird watching forum, if you want you
> can
> join the discussion directly. (registration not required) Here is the
> direct
> link to the discussion :
> http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bird/msg1100480524375.html
>
> I would also like to introduce you all to a world wide bird watching
> forum
> where we all share bird related stuff from all over the world, although
> mostly from USA. The forum's web url is :
> http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/bird/
>
> Happy Birding,
> Narendra Bhagwat
> Seattle, WA
>

--
Mike Patterson When I despair, I remember
Astoria, OR that all through history
celata at pacifier.com the way of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.
Think of it...always.
- Mahatma Gandhi

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html