Juvenile American Goshawk, Louisville

[Paula Hansley]

CObirders:

I’m going to go out on a limb and identify this hawk as a juvenile American Goshawk.  It is difficult to distinguish this species from a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, but I think that my pictures enable that to be done.

This bird has field marks characteristic of a juvenile Am. Goshawk:  (1) uneven tail bands, (2) a white supercilium and black auricular patch, (3) heavy dark brown streaking on breast and belly, (4) speckled pattern on upper back, and (5) a bulkiness that is apparent when taking off.

Experts may say that sitting on a fence is more characteristic of a Cooper’s Hawk, but I have seen an Am. Goshawk sit on a fence post out in the open while living in the mountains.

A few weeks ago, I saw an adult goshawk in my catalpa tree,  but I was unable to get a picture of it.  I suspect that the two birds are related.

Having hawks around our feeders is a mixed blessing!  Most days I simply have no birds because there is a hawk (usually a Cooper’s, but I have also had Red-tailed Hawks). 

Paula Hansley

Boulder County