Any bird experts out there who can answer this for me? Thanks!?

Question

I had a baby pool with water still in it out in my yard. I saw the following type of bird standing on the edge of the pool and I would like to know if this was an owl, hawk, etc.
The bird was very large, approx 2 feet long (wings not spread) an tan chest with white speckles. The bird's beak was hooked and yellow. The feet were huge. Three toes on each I believe. I tried to get a picture of it with my cell, but the bird flew high up into a tree. I have a wooded back yard, but live in a suburban area in VA.
This bird was absolutely breath taking. Thanks for any info. I have searched the web but found nothing. I have not seen the bird again either.

Answer 1

because of where you live it is hard to say....I am from the other side of the USA. I would check this site it is the HARVARD for us bird brains!!!

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/

look under hawks and falcons....there are size ranges listed....here are a few random guesses that may be close....

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Coopers_Hawk.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Broad-winged_Hawk.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Kestrel.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Merlin.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Peregrine_Falcon.html

some of these description links have sounds...and might trigger a memory of a detail you may have forgotten....hope it helps...

Answer 2

Could've been a Cooper's Hawk. Check this and see: http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/Cooper%27sHawk_link.htm

If that's not it you can look at the website below and look through the Owl and Hawk sections and see if you can find him. You could also try checking your local bookstore for a book called "Birds of Virginia: Field Guide" and see if you can find him in that.

EDIT: Just noticed you said the beak was yellow. Probably not a Cooper's Hawk then unless they occasionally have different color beaks. Take a look at the picture above anyway as it might be the right bird since he fits the rest of the description.

Answer 3

It was definatly a hawk becase owls have feathery feet with two toes facing forward two back and a large round face and easily recognised they also usualy have an all black beak. it could be a red tailed, common or ferougenous buzzard, it could have been a sparrow hawk or even a coopers or gos. it might have even been a falcon. It would'nt have been an eagle however as it is exeptionaly rare for them to venture into peoples gardens.

Answer 4

Sounds like it was probably a Cooper's Hawk. Juveniles have a brown back and a white chest with brown streaks. Adults have a grayish back and a chest with faint reddish speckling. A google search should produce an image which looks like your bird.

Answer 5

Hi.

It sounds very much like a Hawk, i cant give you the name as i would have had to have seen it myself, do you get alot of little birds around? they often hunt little birds to eat, i had one in my garden about 2 weeks ago trying to get my aviary birds, they are very brazen and just look at you as if to tell you to go away, you can get so close to them without them flying, if it was an owl im sure u would have noticed,

Answer 6

It sounds like a hawk or an owl. If it was an owl, the beak would be close to it's body.

Answer 7

you could attempt to tame him, it won't harm to attempt, yet i do in comparison to your opportunities. speaking isn't something that rosellas do all that properly, yet whistling is and that they are able to pickup diverse tunes. good success!

Answer 8

it's a hawk.

Answer 9

maybe it was swainsons hawk:
http://www.albertabirds.com/images/SWHA_1.jpg