A very fine (as in, “this is good”)(and as in, “the flakes are very small, but plentiful”) snow is falling out of the heavens, has been since lunch time when a Cooper’s Hawk, Accipiter cooper, not an unusual sight in the vicinity of my feeders, came by to see what was on the menu. Luckily for the potential lunch, they sensed his presence and took off. He left, continuing on his search for lunch.
By feeding song birds, I am attracting the Cooper’s Hawk, who eat medium-sized birds, rabbits, mice, squirrels, bats, chipmunks and even chickens. I don’t play favorites, this beauty is allowed here at my cabin along with all the other birds, particularly since he doesn’t come by daily. All welcome.
4 responses to “Cooper’s Hawk”
This is such a beautiful photo of the Coopers Hawk Brenda! The colors are exquisite. Both Coopers and Sharp-shinned show up at my feeders come Fall. A couple springs ago I watched a Sharp-shin pluck and eat a house sparrow from a decorative log I placed in my garden (I’m okay with house sparrow control). It was amazing to watch. Now that I am not there filling the target feeders I am hoping the birds are making do with the plantings in relative safety. Here, in Florida, apparently Red-shouldered Hawks also “hunt” feeders. Happy New Year to you.
Thanks for the compliment Kathy! Years ago, when I was living in town (Arlington, Va., which is nearly “city”) a hawk (I wasn’t that smart about hawk names then) pulled down and ate a European Starling for lunch in my backyard, leaving a big red patch in the snow. Not a pretty sight but I tried to ignore what was going on. Nature.
When my sisters and I have been visiting our Mom, in Sugarmill Woods, sorta near you, we’ve seen a Red-shouldered Hawk, hanging out near her feeders. That came up in conversation with Mom just this evening!
Enjoy your warmth down there, although Mom did point out that it was cool today – a high of 72º. Brrrr!
Wonderful photo!!
Thanks bunches Anita! I was so pleased to see him! Getting a decent photo was “icing on the cake!”