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Cooper's Hawk

31 comments


This distinguished visitor dropped in on me. I had no idea what it was but he sure stirred my curiosity.

I immediately began to research and here’s what I found…He’s a Cooper’s Hawk.

Sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, they come looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).

A medium-sized hawk with the classic accipiter shape: broad, rounded wings and a very long tail. In Cooper’s Hawks, the head often appears large, the shoulders broad, and the tail rounded.

Feeding mostly on birds and small mammals, it hunts by stealth, approaching its prey through dense cover and then pouncing with a rapid, powerful flight.

Cooper’s Hawks Feeds mainly on medium-sized birds, in the size range of robins, jays, flickers, also on larger and smaller birds. Also eats many small mammals, such as chipmunks, tree squirrels, ground squirrels, mice, bats. Sometimes eats reptiles, insects.

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Comments

 

What a interesting bird! I've seen hawks here swoop down and catch birds. It's an amazing sight!

4 Jan, 2017

 

Thanks for the research Paul. He's handsome (not if you're a small mammal . . ) - very like our Sparrowhawk.

4 Jan, 2017

 

Beautiful bird, some super images.

4 Jan, 2017

 

Glad you finally identified it. It certainly did have the look of a juvenile even if we didn't know what variety!
That last photo must have been a thrilling shot to take!

4 Jan, 2017

 

It was very interesting to see this. The last thing I would expect to see. I'm glad he also eats squirrels, mice & rats. Good boy!!

4 Jan, 2017

 

Thank you everybody for your comments.

4 Jan, 2017

amy
Amy
 

We often have the Sparrow Hawks I have photos of them ,beautiful birds but not nice for the smaller birds they prey on ...

4 Jan, 2017

 

Glad you got the id sorted. it is a beautiful bird.
Raptors are amazing birds.

4 Jan, 2017

 

Oh, isn't he gorgeous? Lucky you! Will you tried to feed him to encourage him to stick around? I know I would!

4 Jan, 2017

 

It is a beautiful bird and your research is very interesting.The most interesting bird I have seen in the last few days has been a heron on our roof top looking to see what he could get eg the fish in the garden pond
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4 Jan, 2017

 

fabulous pics and very interesting.

4 Jan, 2017

 

Marjories: The hawks here also "dive bomb" the neighbor's fish ponds. The bright orange koi/gold fish are usually the first to go. It's an easy meal.

Waddy: They only eat live fresh meat. All I have to do is keep the bird feeder full. I would never try to get in his way or stop him.

Seaburngirl: This was an interesting and fun project. To learn about something new.

Amy: Would love to see your sparrow hawk pictures. I've seen him fly away with another bird in his talons. Not a pretty sight.

4 Jan, 2017

 

What a treat to have a visit from this stunning Hawk. :)

4 Jan, 2017

 

Hi Paul, I know its not good to see them catching their dinner but they are a beautiful bird aren't they, we do get the Sparrowhawks here, as said very like your bird but I also would never try to stop them, its survival of the fittest and natures way..

4 Jan, 2017

 

Surely there is some way of filling the bird feeders so that this horrible raptor cannot get at them ?

5 Jan, 2017

 

If you can think of one, please let me know.

5 Jan, 2017

amy
Amy
 

I'll find one for you Paul ...

5 Jan, 2017

amy
Amy
 

I've put a photo on for you Paul ,I have others showing the birds pinning blackbirds down in the kill ..

5 Jan, 2017

 

I have my huge English Yew & Junipers nearby that offer refuge for the little birds, but they have to be quick. Great photo Amy. Thanks for posting. You should write a blog..lol.

5 Jan, 2017

 

Lucky you....how exciting.

5 Jan, 2017

 

Beautiful images.

We once had a bird crash into a window . I thought it was from the Hawk family (fierce eyes, talons...) but my knowledgeable neighbour identified it as a cuckoo! Wish I'd photographed it.

Last year we had three buzzards often circling overhead (Mum, Dad Offspring?). I made sure the cat was indoors!!

6 Jan, 2017

 

Buzzards don't last long here - the rooks gang up and chase them away...

6 Jan, 2017

 

Beautiful photos Paul. We get Sparrow hawks here. They chase the Sparrows. We also have Buzzards flying overhead, and Peregrines on the local Mill building.
Carrion Crows mob the Buzzards as they fly across.

7 Jan, 2017

 

Thank you

7 Jan, 2017

 

Yes, as others have said.....he's very much like the SPARROWHAWK we see here. I most of us have seen a pile of pigeon/dove feathers on the ground and wondered how they got there. It is usually the work of the SPARROWHAWK. One flew out of my grasses in my back garden last summer and nearly flew into me. But, my walking out into the garden saved his prey that day

8 Jan, 2017

 

Hi Paul, I just dug my car out from under a huge snow drift. Yes, amazing how similar the two hawks are. It also resembles our Sharp Shinned Hawk which is much smaller.

The most notable differences between your Sparrow Hawk & the Cooper's Hawk is eye color, the Sparrow Hawk having bright gold eyes (see Amy's latest picture), the Cooper's Hawk has grayish/green eyes. Also, the color pattern on the chest is different, the Sparrow Hawk has horizontal striations while the Cooper's Hawk is more vertical. There are other subtle differences as well. Also, with the Cooper's Hawk, every other bird is on his menu, including; crows, blue jays, robins, finches & even seagulls. But the similarities are very striking as well.

8 Jan, 2017

 

I must admit, id not heard of a cooper's hawk before this post.
crikey, good luck in all that snow!

9 Jan, 2017

 

You and me both. I haven't seen or even heard of a Cooper's Hawk until this one landed in my boxwood hedge. He discovered all the activity around my bird feeder and found an easy meal.

10 Jan, 2017

 

Another really great blog Bathgate! Very interesting!

15 Mar, 2017

 

Thanks. This was a fun and interesting discovery. I couldn't keep it to myself. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

16 Mar, 2017

 

I did indeed bg! ?

16 Mar, 2017

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