Help with possible bird ID

[Heidi Haas Williams]

Hey all, first post to the group after hearing a strange bird call/sound today. Around midday north of Denver (Federal Heights) I heard what I thought might be a dog toy originally, but it sounded almost like a monkey - hard to describe but that's what I thought it was originally. It was loud and sounded a few times so I went to check it out. I was able to spot a bird/bird of prey up in a tree right outside my house that I believed to be making the noise. Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the call or any part of the bird via camera but i was able to see a whitish belly and it seemed a bit fluffy as it hopped from one branch to another. I wasn't able to see it's head or body shape at all but it seemed hawkish size. I went to get binocs/camera and couldn't spot it again (may have flown while I was inside) so that's all the info I have. No history of owls in the residential area, but occasional hawks/falcons as we do have a prairie dog town nearby. 

Out of plain curiosity, does anyone have an idea of what it could be? It wasn't the usual hawk or owl sounds I've heard while out (or during visits to hawkquest etc). It seemed fairly unique and I'm hoping the "monkey-ish" descriptor might be a clue. 

Sorry if this is a wild goose chase, but I appreciate any suggestions so I can compare to audio on ebird/merlin/etc!

Thanks!

Heidi Haas

[Jay Breidt]

Maybe a Cooper’s hawk?

Jay Breidt 

Fort Collins

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[Deborah Carstensen]

Perhaps a juvenile hawk or great horned owl. If you look up the juvenile great horned owl’s call, that might fit. You can probably tell  a juvenile great horned owl from a hawk so if you can find other juvenile calls.  Good luck!

Deb Carstensen 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 9, 2020, at 5:47 AM, Jay Breidt <jbr...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Charlie Chase]

Sounds much like the male Cooper's Hawks that are currently making a lot of similar racket in our neighborhood.

Charlie Chase 

Denver

On Mon, Jun 8, 2020 at 11:06 PM Heidi Haas Williams <heidi...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Mike Blatchley]

Heidi,

I realize this won't be consistent with the hawk-like bird you saw, but is it possible you were hearing a Red-breasted or White-breasted Nuthatch calling from the same tree?  When I read the descriptions "dog toy" and "like a monkey", that's the first vocalization that came to mind without reading further.

Mike Blatchley

On Mon, Jun 8, 2020 at 11:06 PM Heidi Haas Williams <heidi...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Heidi Haas Williams]

oh my gosh, thank you all so much for the possibilities and knowledge of the group! I wish i had taken an audio so I can confirm, but I'm leaning towards the Cooper's Hawk. I'll be keeping my ears open to see if it returns. 

Thanks again to everyone, always fun learning new things!!!

[J V Rudd]

Possibly a Blue Jay mimicking (poorly in this case) a hawk? I can't tell you how many times they've thrown me off.

Van Rudd

Louisville, CO

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[Heidi Haas]

I heard the calls again (multiple times) and was able to get a better view. A pair of hawks have definitely taken up residence nearby and I was able to get photos. Assume these are cooper's as suggested, but if not let me know!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/N4afrd8wYK6gvsni9 (pair)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ui6geH9Ug7XCxzpT6

Thank you again to the group!!

Heidi