this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2024
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This looks like a sharp-shinned hawk, which feeds on these little birds.
Looks like forced perspective. I think the hawk isn't looking at the little bird, but from our angle it looks like they're face to face, so we assume they are much closer than they are.
I can see how it looks that way... But the size proportions are about right. If anything the little bird is only a few feet in front of the hawk. But I think you're right that the hawk is looking behind the little bird.
They're looking at the bird. The bird is closer to the camera in front of them on a branch.
You're right, but they're on a branch right in front of the hawk.
That’s definitely not a sharp-shinned hawk. Looks like a buteo of some sort but I’m not the best at hawk ID. Maybe a red-tail. They can have so many different color morphs I am never sure though.
Sharp-shinned hawk is much smaller and has different coloration.
Is it not a red-tailed hawk? They are extremely common across North America.
That’s what I think it is, just didn’t want to be overconfident.
Look at the 5th picture in the carousel here:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk/id
It sure looks like one to me. We have one staking out our bird feeder in the backyard, and we're pretty upset about that.
Some of the red tailed hawks look similar too. I guess that I just don't know!
Whoops, I replied to the wrong comment, although that's part of the same chain. You can see it here.
Look at the size and body proportions. Very different species. Coloration varies quite a bit as you can see but sharp-shins are small and fragile looking since they’re built for agility. Larger hawks are a lot bulkier.
About 75% it’s a red-tailed hawk, and if not, another species in genus Buteo. They generally don’t eat small songbirds like the one pictured.
Oh, then maybe that's not a sharp-shinned in our tree either. I just used Google Lens and pictures to try to identify it.