At first glance, this hawk sitting in a large tree near our home looked somewhat like a Red-shouldered, a species we see often here. But it surprised us that he just sat there and never moved a bit, even as we got very close. We soon realized why. . . . 
The hawk was being ‘buzzed’ mercilessly by at least four loud squawking Northern Mockingbirds, and it looked like he was clutching something in his talons. (Sorry I didn’t videotape this!) The Mockingbirds were clearly very upset and angry so we surmised that the hawk had robbed their nest.
For several more minutes, the hawk remained on the tree branch, unable to fend off this dive-bombing attack, all the while clinging tenaciously to his prey. Finally the hawk flew off with his catch, the Mockingbirds in hot pursuit!
Only when I later looked at these photos on my computer could I see that indeed the hawk’s prey appeared to be a young bird. I also realized the bird’s coloring was not that of a Red-shouldered. The blue-gray head and wings made me think maybe it was a Cooper’s Hawk?! But no, the hawk’s distinctly red eyes didn’t seem right either.
I’m hoping one of my readers will give me an accurate ID! Is this by any chance a Sharp-shinned Hawk??
Birder's Journey 
I would back Sharp-skinned BJ, not being an American birder, but from key ID features. Always great to catch them with prey. Well done!
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So glad to hear your perspective, AB. You’re one of the experts I know I can count on, even though your birds in Australia may differ from ours in N.A. Thanks for your vote of confidence!
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Merlin says Sharped-shinned and rare for FL! Well spotted and photographed!
Too bad about the baby Mockingbird. Nature is cruel sometimes.
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Wow, I really appreciate your comment and your investigation into this! Now I’m even more thrilled that we saw this. Hope he comes back to our tree.
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I’m thrilled for you! It’s an exciting sighting!
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Yes, very. Thanks again! I’ve since found several photos of Cooper’s Hawks with red eyes, and Coopers are fairly frequently seen here…. so now I’m thinking maybe it’s a Cooper’s Hawk after all?!
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YW 😀
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Awesome capture for both the Sharp Shinned and you!
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Thanks, Berny. Looking at the range of both hawks, it seems much more likely to be a Cooper’s. And… apparently both Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned adults have red eyes after all! ☺️ We have to keep watching for him now.
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Yep, I don’t see many but to me everything says Sharp-shinned. Great photographs.
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Thanks, Ted! It’s apparently not the time of year to see a Sharp-shinned here, I’ve been told. But others on a FB raptors group have also said they think it is.
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The ranges of all birds is changing fast. Not that long ago only the Red-shouldered was common in Fl. Heck, there were Spoonbills in the Midwest a year ago
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Good point about the range of birds changing, Ted! I’d love to think it’s a Sharp-shinned Hawk since I’ve never seen one, but it was an exciting few moments in any case.
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Great sighting! Differences between Coopers and Sharpies are difficult, one ID tip is the eye is closer to the beak in a Cooper’s and their heads are stockier to their bodies than the Sharpies. It is difficult to tell with your photos, wish we could see the tail to spy additional differences. I’m leaning to a Cooper’s with the head/eye shots you captured. Where is HJ/Avian101? He’ll know!! 🙂
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Thanks so much for your very helpful and detailed reply, Donna! So much good info. I also posted this in a Facebook group on Raptors…. most lean toward Cooper’s Hawk. I really hope to see this bird again in our tree, and will try to get some better shots.
Lol… Hope to hear from HJ and hear his input! ☺️
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Great shots, Carol! I’m inclined to vote for the Sharp-Shinned Hawk as you thought too. 🙂
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Thanks HJ! I always value your input. I’m enjoying your ‘Sets’ this week!
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Fantastic captures. 😊
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Thanks for your visit, Irene. It was so exciting to see this drama unfolding that I almost didn’t run into the house to grab my camera. Glad I did!
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I am glad you did too. 😉
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Amazing images and I notice that you have already got some exciting clues about this fantastic hawk!
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Thank you, Anita! Yes, I’m lucky to have gotten such valuable and interesting feedback from fellow bloggers with expertise in identifying birds.
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Incredible photos, Carol! They are beautiful!
I feel, from the looks of the feather colorings, chest, feet, etc., that it is a Sharp-shinned hawk.
Lucky you for being able to watch this unfold.
Shabbat Shalom!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Lorri – thanks for your thoughts! Shabbat shalom to you, too!
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I’m glad to see others pitching in with ID’s. I often struggle with ID’ing hawks. I was leaning towards either Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s because of the coloration, shape and size, but I always struggle to tell those two apart. Great job capturing some nice behavioral shots. It’s always fun seeing these things, even when it’s showing us how harsh nature can sometimes be.
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Thanks so much, Todd. I really appreciate your visit and your input! I’ve learned how similar these two hawks are, though apparently Coopers are much more likely to be here in Florida at this time of year.
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I am with the others who favor Cooper’s Hawk, mainly because of the bulky head, but they and Sharp-shinned Hawks are confused all the time, including by myself.
I’m sorry about the Mockingbird baby…
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Yes, Tanja, though it only reflects the natural order of things, it’s not easy to witness one creature become the prey of another. I really appreciate your input about the Hawks, and have learned how difficult it seems to be to differentiate them visually – especially from such limited views.
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