Diurnal Raptor ID

[dihoekstra]

Hoping you can help me identify this bird. Because of the sun, I couldn't see any real color. Here are my observations:

landed and perched in tree along the alley behind my house
much smaller than red tailed hawk...size of large grackle, small crow
long tail for a hawk (similar to grackle)
shook tail side to side quite often
short, small beak like norhtern harrier or merlin
there were white feathers protruding from either side of the tail (primaries or undertail converts?)
I think I was seeing faint horizontal lines on tail, but couldn't confirm with binoculars or scope

It took off and soared in circles around the area
then it just kept getting higher and higher in these circles
finally disappered into the blue because it was so high

The underside seemed mostly light, but with a very dark tail

I am in a neighborhood in southern Collin County. There are a lot of open fields around and I am about 1/4 of a mile from Breckenridge park.

Thanks!

[betsy]

I'd suspect you saw a Cooper's Hawk, Di. They're (females, at least) about that size, they have short beaks, long, barred tails and their white undertail coverts often protrude at the side of the tail, especially if it's windy. They're also frequently found in neighborhoods -- bird feeders create good hunting grounds for them.