NORTHERN GOSHAWK? (probably not) (well, maybe)

Lots of activity at our feeder, including what we think may have been a juvenile Northern Goshawk!  I saw this bird earlier, but assumed it to be a very large Coopers Hawk.  Sunday, we watched it as it sat on the ground for about 20 minutes (judging by the pile of feathers, it was digesting lunch).  This bird is just too big to be a Coopers, even a female.  Given the size, the prominent light colored eyebrow, the uneven banding on its tail and the speckled back (you can't see the back in this picture), we (Linda, Carol & I) started thinking it might be a Goshawk.  After sitting for a long time, it flew to a branch near the window.  (SEE BELOW FOR UPDATES)

Juvenile Northern Goshawk ?

I queried the Mass Audubon "Ask the Wildlife Expert", and got back an answer from Marj Rines.  She doubts that it is a Goshawk because the Goshawk has heavier barring on the breast and not so much white down below.  She also says that the tail bars are more uneven on the Goshawk.  She knows her stuff, so she is probably right. (Feb 6)

OK, now we are back to thinking that maybe it IS a goshawk!  Today (Feb 8), Linda & I had a really good, long, closeup view of the resident Cooper's Hawk (pretty much in the same place as the juvenile) and it was much smaller and much more slender.  Hope we will see the juvenile again sometime soon!

Whatever it is, it was fun to watch!!

We have also seen house finch and purple finch, white-throated sparrows and American tree sparrows and a red-breasted nuthatch, as well as our regulars.  The bluebirds are on the feeder as I type -- 2 males and 2 females at the moment.  A great blue heron flew down the pond early this morning; it was probably going fishing down by the fall where the water is open.  Wonder where it is roosting?