hamr_brdr's Favorites

Melanistic juvenile (likely male based on size relative to the Great-tailed Grackle it was feeding upon). Verified by William Clark, and Lance and Jill Morrow. First observed by M. Silvas with me, and I shouted "melanistic Cooper's Hawk, OMG" as I identified the bird preliminarily, before submitting it to experts for review.
N31.070728 W-97.369269
JPK-2925

Audio at 8 / 13 sec (can also hear marsh wrens prominently)

Male because green feathers (seen better with the naked eye). He flew into weeds and I hung around and occasionally played least bittern calls on my app until he scaled to the top and was visible. Last two pictures are video screenshots of flight.