Sharp-shinned vs Cooper's Hawk

[Carma Sue Henry]

I've found the photos and descriptions on this person's site to be helpful.  I especially like their in-flight comparison photos.

https://www.flockingaround.com/post/sharp-shinned-hawk-vs-coopers-hawk-identification

Here are some screen captures of a juv Cooper's in our yard today - just from my phone through a window, so not as sharp as your very fine shots.  Note how rounded the tail looks as it's spread out. Both species have yellow eyes as juvies but the one in my photos looks beadier (smaller, more hooded) and more 'fierce', as the author notes, compared to your red-eyed adult.  Note the chunkier toes as well. 

This one is on a 2x2.  I zoomed my screen until the facing edge on the stake was as close to .5" as I could get. So .5" on the screen = 1.5" in life.  The bird then measured about 5.5" on the screen and 16.5 in life size.  That fits in well with 14-20" size range of the Cooper's.

There are still many times when I shrug my shoulders on the id of these two, but sometimes, with just the right view angle and distance, you get lucky.

Carma Henry

Logsdon Ridge