ML616994734

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Here’s an extra long description of this Sharp-shinned Hawk (SSHA) seen for several minutes sheltering during high winds. The photo would likely confuse many people and had me second guessing myself. Strong wind blew up the nape feathers on this bird to imitate the raised hackels of a Cooper’s Hawk (COHA). Small bill and stocky body still point to SSHA in the photo. Although the blurry more reddish brown chest and belly streaking is not diagnostic alone, it is further evidence pointing to SSHA. Mike Clark and I both saw it perched on a nearby railing for several seconds before it flew down to the spruce and I took these photos. A stocky body shape and a shorter straight-ended tail than would be expected on a COHA. Flight behavior was difficult to evaluate based on the short duration and high wind but nothing made us think COHA. I have seen similar flight behavior from SSHA in high winds at hawkwatch sites.

Technical information

Model

DSC-RX10M4

Lens

8.8-220mm f/2.4-4.0

ISO

800

Focal length

219.8 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/4.0

Shutter speed

0.02 sec

Dimensions

551 pixels x 979 pixels

Original file size

312.22 KB