Cooper’s Hawk in the Backyard

Right place. Right time, with a camera in hand. I was so fortunate to capture photos of this hawk just after she swooped into my neighbor’s yard.

The plumage pattern of spots and streaks indicates that this is not only a Cooper’s Hawk, Accipiter Cooperii, but she’s actually a juvenile. The adult bird does not have yellow eyes.

This young hawk was not simply hanging out here in plain view. She was hunting. This part of my neighbor’s yard has hedges and thick shrubs, providing shelter to dozens of House Sparrows and other small birds. No doubt she landed on top of this hedge after pursuing a panicking prey who dived into the thick shrubbery for cover. She remained after the unsuccessful ambush, left sitting on the flat surface without securing a meal.

Normally, the chattering sounds of House Sparrows fill the air throughout the day. In the presence of the hawk, however, there was only an unnatural silence. Otherwise, the shrubs are full…

Here are several sparrows feeding on the ground nearby where they are more vulnerable targets for a hawk attack…

Hawks are relatively rare in the neighborhood, especially sitting out in plain view. I suspect that they are merely unnoticed. One is probably hiding nearby on most days, well camouflaged among the branches, perched in a comfortable high spot like this one in a live oak tree…

Hawks are very patient, waiting for a suitable small bird or a rodent to approach, then dropping onto the target from a height…

Note the Cooper Hawk’s impressive talons used to capture prey…

Often hawks rest on utility poles after a meal. They require some quiet time for proper digestion to take place, so they must sit very still for a couple of hours.

Seems like a pole overlooking a local marsh is a good resting spot…

This urban raptor can visit again any time.

“The Eagle And The Hawk” by John Denver

I am the eagle, I live in high country in rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky.
I am the hawk, and there’s blood on my feathers.
But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.
And all those who see me, and all who believe in me
share in the freedom I feel when I fly.

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops.
Sail o’er the canyons and up to the stars.
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
and all that we can be, and not what we are.

Want to see more raptors? Click on one of these links…

• Rooftop Eagle >>
• Look-alike Hawks >>
• The Smallest of Raptors >>