Hawk ID trouble
by Jaimie
(Bardstown, KY, USA)
I have seen this hawk several times near my feeders in the past two weeks. One afternoon around 2:30 he flew past me, within two feet.
I could hear the wind whizzing across his/her wings. A few days later it landed on the shepherds hook I hang my feeders from and sat there for a minute after I stepped out the door.
Yet another afternoon, he landed on another shepherds hook and looked in the window at me. I have managed to get pictures of him after he flies into a nearby tree but they are not real clear.
I am submitting one and I have some of his back as well. While looking out the window at him he appeared to be 16 inches from head to tip of tail.
I was so amazed it could have been bigger or smaller in reality. I just couldn't believe he was sitting there seemingly looking in the window at me.
It has a bit of yellow on the beak with black on the tip of it, I didn't catch the eye color but I am hoping he will come land close enough again so I can.
The back seems grey and when it is in the tree I can see little bits of white on his back. The chest is white with brown streaks. It has a long tail with bars.
I would like help identifying this hawk if possible. I am leaning toward a sharp shinned hawk except for the size. It seems a little bit too big.
So it could be a coopers hawk as well. My guide books don't have much info regarding juveniles. If other photos are needed I do have a few more. Thank you.
Also, should I worry that the hawk will attack me or my neighbors small children? If so, would a scarecrow deter this hawk from coming into my yard. It does seem to wait until I go into the house before it flies into the yard.
It is in my yard in a semi-rural setting. It is very near Bardstown, KY USA
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