ML647574613

Podrobnosti k pozorování

Flew in to the live oaks in the backyard with a fresh kill (its catch not completely in view, but from later examination of zoomed-in photos, it appeared to be an Inca Dove). I had been sitting on the back patio, and interestingly, the bird seemed to be ignoring me (undoubtedly because much of its attention was focused on the freshly caught meal); therefore, was able to get dozens of photos. Looking at time stamps on the photos and then estimating how long it remained after I'd stopped taking photos, I'm guessing the SSHA stayed in the backyard trees a whole 45 minutes (during which time the bird allowed it to be photographed from as close as 25' to 30'!) Amazed at how tolerant the bird was, especially for a SSHA, and being so close at one point. Probably the most obliging SSHA, especially for a perched individual, that I've ever encountered. The size of the bird did seem fairly large for a SSHA (based solely on size, would have assumed this was more likely a male-sized Cooper's), but the underpart pattern, the tail shape and tail tip pattern all pointed to a Sharp-shinned. So would assume this was a hatch-year female Sharp-shinned. Even though this is of course a fairly regularly seen species in Burnet County, they often are not easy to get long studies of them at close range, so a series of photos are attached to show some of various features that were used to make the identification, and separate it from the very similar Cooper's Hawk (which typically is more viewer friendly than SSHA). Under some of the photos media notes discuss some of the features that point to this bird being a Sharp-shin.