CLOSED: Hawk ID

This was taken in Northern Virginia on 8/9/08.
Thank you,
Tony

Sharp-shinned Hawk, juvenile.

Resin

Thank you..
Would you be so kind to explain what characteristics you used to help ID.

Bump! :-)

Ooops!

First, it's a juvenile because the breast is streaked lengthways, rather than finely barred crossways.

Sharp-shinned, because:
(a) square-ended tail (rounded corners in Cooper's)
(b) smallish bill and legs (heavier, thicker, in Cooper's)
(c) breast streaking is rather 'messy' ('tidier' in Cooper's)

Resin

Thank you for taking the time to write that out.
I really appreciate it.
Tony