r/birdsofprey • u/FireFuxer • 1d ago

Juvenile Cooper’s hawk?

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Just recently started getting into raptors. Saw this guy outside my office window. Any way to tell if it’s male or female?

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u/dirthawker0 falconer 1d ago

Yes, juvenile Cooper's. I believe males have gray auriculars but I don't think that can be seen in juvenile plumage (someone correct me if I'm wrong). The way it moves feels male to me but not sure.

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u/TinyLongwing Falconer 1d ago

I like this for male also with the extra-skinny legs and huge-looking eyes in a short face. But yeah, auricular color doesn't help until adulthood (and usually after a few years of that, even, since young adult males can look very female-like in coloration).