3 thoughts on “Sunday Showcase: Cooper’s Hawk & Fledglings”
Hi Rob English,
The photos are great. I am new to birdwatching and have a doubt. The marking on the front part in the first photo is different from that on others. So is that a difference between the male and female birds?
That’s an excellent question! Cooper’s Hawks have two recognizably different plumages – adult and juvenile. Young birds have whitish underparts narrowly streaked with dark brown. Adults have rufous (reddish-brown) and white chests, as shown in the first picture. Juvenile raptors on their own are very difficult to identify, but adult Cooper’s Hawks all have the same plumage. Females are slightly larger than the males.
Hi Rob English,
The photos are great. I am new to birdwatching and have a doubt. The marking on the front part in the first photo is different from that on others. So is that a difference between the male and female birds?
That’s an excellent question! Cooper’s Hawks have two recognizably different plumages – adult and juvenile. Young birds have whitish underparts narrowly streaked with dark brown. Adults have rufous (reddish-brown) and white chests, as shown in the first picture. Juvenile raptors on their own are very difficult to identify, but adult Cooper’s Hawks all have the same plumage. Females are slightly larger than the males.
Thank you very much for clearing my doubts. I am also very encouraged by your prompt reply.
Thanks
Anand