October 27, 2026
Monday Mystery Answered
On Monday I wrote… Yesterday morning, top Celery Farm Nature Preserve birder Julie McCall saw an unusual-looking hawk over the…
Thanks to all who identified the Cooper's Hawk. John Workman offered these diagnostics:
— Head: Cooper's often has visible hackles (like this bird), when make the head look more angular; Sharp-shinned head often looks rounder, smaller.
— Legs (if you can see them at all): Cooper's are thicker; Sharp-shinned thinner. (it's really hard to tell on most birds, but this one's legs look "Coopy" to me) 😉 — Thanks, John!