I agree it's a SSHA, but not with the reason you give.  For an example 
of a perched COHA showing a similar slight notch see Wheeler's Raptors 
of Eastern North America plate 187 (180 also looks a bit notched).  
Generally best to rely on multiple field marks.  I also don't see any 
reference in the text to a notched tail on a perched bird being 
diagnostic, though I'd agree it's supportive.

Jim Moore
Rockville, MD

On 11/19/2011 11:58 PM, George M. Jett wrote:
> Folks
>
> Too much detail.  Notch in the tail is diagnostic for Sharp-shinned.  
> See Bill Clark's hawk books.
>
> Daphne - please send to Bill.
>
> George
> 
> www.georgejett.net
> -----Original Message----- From: Jim Moore
> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 6:27 PM
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Hawk I.D. please
>
> Les,
>
> In my opinion it's a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  The legs and toes are
> extremely thin--too thin for Cooper's.  Moreover, the thick rufous
> streaking on the underparts extending down the belly supports
> Sharp-shinned.  I don't think we can judge eye position accurately from
> these photos since the bird appears to be looking away from the camera.
>
> I couldn't open your link, but here is a web page with pointers:
>
> http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/accipiterIDtable.htm 
>
>
> Jim Moore
> Rockville, MD
>
> On 11/19/2011 6:08 PM, Les Eastman wrote:
>> On 11/19/2011 4:20 PM, Saundra Byrd wrote:
>>> Maybe someone can help with i.d. of my yard hawk today . I really
>>> believed from first sight it was a Sharp Shinned . And knew to run
>>> for the camera as photos usually help but hawks are so hard.  This
>>> would be a new yard bird if i get a positive i.d. i bet i have more
>>> unidentified hawk picts than those that are i.d."d ):
>>
>> I think it is a Cooper's Hawk. The eyes look like they are towards 
>> the front of the head and not in the middle, and the terminal band is 
>> fairly wide. See page 9 of this newsletter to see tips on separating 
>> the two - http://www.harfordbirdclub.org/v23n4-1.pdf
>>
>> Les
>>
>> ===========
>> Les Eastman
>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>> Havre de Grace, MD
>>
>> The eagle looked down on the river below
>> And he wrapped his wings round him and he fell like a stone
>> And the big salmon fought but the talons held true
>> And he shuddered as the world turned from silver to blue
>>                               Steve Earle
>>
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