Saw this guy/gal in a Walmart parking lot. Wondering what it is. Any clues? I live in norther Illinois.
8
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16 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Red TaIL hawk
GreenAtheist
Level 8
Dec 4, 2018
0
But the tail is too long, I think.
As was said, probably a Cooper's hawk. American Kestrels look similar, but smaller and doesn't have the facial pattern of one.
FatherOfNyx
Level 7
Dec 1, 2018
1
cats always climb trees. it's a cat
coralisthree
Level 8
Dec 1, 2018
0
lookin' for a birdie treat...
Well, it's a bird..... I know that much 
IamNobody
Level 8
Dec 1, 2018
1
Yeah, I was kinda thinkin' that myself...
I'm thinking a red shouldered hawk - they have those tail stripes. Looks a bit large for a Cooper's
evergreen
Level 8
Nov 30, 2018
1
Yeah but the tail is long for a red shouldered. I am learning more about hawks than I ever thought I would...
Yes. I believe a Cooper's hawk.
SukiSue
Level 8
Nov 30, 2018
0
Another vote for Coopers. I'm convinced now too.
evidentialist
Level 8
Nov 30, 2018
2
Thanks!
Varn:
Likely feeding on parking-lot sparrows..
Also you can see the stripe pattern on the tail, red tails don't have that.
Source:
Minta79
Level 7
Nov 30, 2018
2
I tend to agree with Coopers though my hawk seems a bit bulkier. Could be the perspective.
@itsmedammit Could be. Or, he could just be a big guy. He has all of the tell tale markings of a Cooper, though. My kid is a budding zoologist and we spend a fair amount of time volunteering with our local raptor rehabilitation center. Cooper's are way more common in the Midwest than people realize.
@itsmedammit it's also cold outside, birds fluff their feathers to make an insulating air pocket when it's cold.
@Minta79 Good on your son. Critter stuff is always cool.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk. Red tail's have a white "collar", Cooper's are speckled all the way up the chest/throat.
Minta79
Level 7
Nov 30, 2018
2
Thanks!
Nice. There are a fair amount of hawks in my area, some sit on the roof of a nearby barn and scan for food. They have gotten a couple of doves in my yard over the years, easy pickings for the lazy bird. Snowy Owls have also been seen in the area this year, a real treat to see them. A few years ago one would sit in the same tree and I would see it almost every day.
Mark013
Level 7
Nov 30, 2018
0
I've seen remains in my yard too. Easy pickins here.
Looks like a juvenile Cooper's hawk.
beerkrump
Level 6
Nov 30, 2018
0
Probably.
I can't judge its size, but it looks a lot like a cooper's hawk.
JimG
Level 8
Nov 30, 2018
0
I think it was on the larger size.
Red tails are most common in Illinois. Probably that. Very similar to a Cooper hawk. One doesn't always see a lot of red. Pretty sure one or the other. Next person may have a better eye.
Beowulfsfriend
Level 9
Nov 30, 2018
1
Thanks! I do have a red tailed pair that hang around my yard. They are cool to watch.
Very pretty hawk. Go to hawk photos and match it to exact species.
Beowulfsfriend
Level 9
Nov 30, 2018
0
I did try but couldn't figure it out. Hoping for a better eye here.
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