Is this a falcon?

[mchristo]

Showed up at my bird feeder about 30 minutes ago

[Kris G.]

It looks like a Coopers Hawk. They sometimes look to catch backyard birds for a meal.

[Shaky]

I agree it's not a falcon. Coop or Sharpie. I can never tell them apart.

Congrats on your first post! 

[Carol P.]

Probably a Coop. Thanks for sharing this beautiful picture!

[mchristo]

Thank you for the identification.  It is a Cooper?s Hawk.  It was interesting to see it land and then catch a critter. (There are plenty of critters under the bird feeder, hope it comes back for more meals). The hunting style didn?t seem to match what I?ve read about falcons. 

[Carol P.]

Thank you for the identification.  It is a Cooper?s Hawk.  It was interesting to see it land and then catch a critter. (There are plenty of critters under the bird feeder, hope it comes back for more meals). The hunting style didn?t seem to match what I?ve read about falcons. 

You're correct. A Peregrine Falcon is an aerial hunter, stooping on or chasing its prey at top speeds. Their usual prey are other birds. While the Coopers Hawk will usually hunt birds and rodents on the ground. That's why you will see them around backyard bird feeders. That is not to say you will never see a Peregrine Falcon at your feeders. 😁