The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Bird Identification › A Mystery Eurasian sparrowhawk in USA
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I found a hawk in my backyard with a chipmunk in his talons. I thought it was a Peregrine falcon at first because of his cream-colored chest and black head + wings. But, he had bright orange eyes, very long yellow legs, he didn't have the Peregrine falcon's curved wings, and he had white speckles on his chest. I puzzled at him for a while from my window and when I came back with my camera he was gone. I looked him up later and I found a perfect match. A Eurasian sparrowhawk. It couldn't believe it when I saw the match because Eurasian sparrowhawks live in Europe, and I live in Roanoke, VA! Could someone help me identify this bird of prey, or maybe even another species that matches my description? (Here's the best match of what I saw from online -- I have no photo unfortunately)You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
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Was probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk you saw.