i know it is almost impossible to see. it landed on my bird cage and i took a quick shot and he was gone.

he had a hawk face small hooked beak, was brownish and had brown tail feathers with some spots. about twice or three times the size of a pigeon.

any help as to what it is?

Where do you live? Could be a Coopers...

Jim

Peregrine Falcon...maybe???

KC

Can't tell from the pic, but the most likely possibilities are a Coopers' or Sharp-shinned Hawk. They're medium-sized and frequently take birds at feeders in suburban settings. Unfortunately, telling the two apart can be very tricky (subtle size differences) and often requires that birder's Gestalt.

I agree with the Coopers or Marsh hawk which I believe are the same hawk. Did it have long legs? X

Its a pretty blurry picture, Rick, but in my opinion, I think it might be a bird of some kind.

It all looks like Bigfoot to me 🙂

I am going to rule out a Condore.

X,
the other common name for Marsh Hawk is Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). These have a very distinctive white rump and are frequently seen hovering low over fields/grassy areas in search of rodents/reptiles.

The Coopers (A. cooperii) and Sharp-shinned (A. striatus) are both in the genus Accipiter (please italicize or underline all Latin names else I will have to deduct 1/2 point from each answer :)) . Both are much more likely to pursue small birds through trees and small bushes. All three are common in Ricks locale and have striping on the tail and underside of the wings so you never know?

Man, i'm a bio geek. Sorry, lecture is over for today

X,
the other common name for Marsh Hawk is Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). These have a very distinctive white rump and are frequently seen hovering low over fields/grassy areas in search of rodents/reptiles.

The Coopers (A. cooperii) and Sharp-shinned (A. striatus) are both in the genus Accipiter (please italicize or underline all Latin names else I will have to deduct 1/2 point from each answer :)) . Both are much more likely to pursue small birds through trees and small bushes. All three are common in Ricks locale and have striping on the tail and underside of the wings so you never know?

Man, i'm a bio geek. Sorry, lecture is over for today

UFO

I'm getting dizzy/er,sorry Rick...LOL

Pterodactyl?

Is it a Bushwacker?

I believe it's a Sparrow Hawk which I've heard are prominent in the SoCal area.

Do you have Red Tail hawks in So Cal? The outline fits. They're pretty common back here in the East.

Nice bong but the picture is a little fuzzy. Next time take the photo before you light up!

Looks like a Kestrel or Merlin. Members of the falcon family