What bird is this?

Hello all,

 

I don't hang around this forum too much, but I do enjoy taking pictures of

nature. If fact, in our tree live a pair of birds that I have no clue what they

are. They're always fighting off the local crows.

 

Also, for the future, is there a good place to look up this info so I don't

have to bug everyone here? I did search around, but I couldn't find anything.

 

BTW, it was taken with a 10D 70-200f4 1/1500 at f4 400ISO and major cropping.

No tripod. I'll have to use a tripod next time and scout the place out since

it's in my front yard.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom<div></div>

Oh, I forgot. I'm in southern California if that makes a difference.

 

(I wish I can edit my post)

Juvenile Cooper's hawk, probably recently out of the nest judging by the shortish tail and the

time of year. The

National Geographic North American bird guide, or the Sibley North American field guide, are

the default bird books; both are excellent.<P>

 

Pictures of juvenile Coops <A HREF="http://biology.ucr.edu/personal/MACphotos/birds3/

BCH.html">here</a> and adults <A HREF="http://biology.ucr.edu/personal/MACphotos/

birds3/Coopers.html">here</a> (all taken in southern California).

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll post more (better pictures with a tripod and cable release) when I can.

Hi,

 

Young (as in just out of the nest) Cooper's Hawks have blue eyes. (Young Red-tails have grey eyes.) This can be seen in your photo and the one we include (image is from the first nesting Cooper's Hawks in NYC since 1955).<div></div>