I'm not reporting a lifer but something in the bird world that I'd never seen before.
Many people have told me about seeing a Cooper's hawk that's caught a bird and is sitting on the post ripping the feathers off so that it can be eaten. Well this week I saw that event happen. I didn't see the bird being caught , but Cooper's hawks chase their prey through the trees and catch up to it and seize the bird. they will also catch squirrels and chipmunks. Cooper's hawks now are found in wooded urban areas. Cooper's hawks are about 16 in long and have a wing span of about 30 in.
The bird I saw is a juvenile which means that it was hatched last year. They are a very neat clean looking bird with the creamy white and brown plumage.
These photos were taken through the window. The first shows the bird on the fence with it's prey. In the second photo I wanted to show the upper markings. The third photo shows that he's caught a house sparrow and the barred under tail parts.
Great capture!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSo cool!!!
ReplyDeletethey are pretty cool calm and collected.
DeleteBeautiful Bird of prey. We are seeing more hawks hanging around. One swooped into our yard and got a small bird one day they are FAST:(
ReplyDeleteThe Cooper's actually chases it's prey down.
DeleteThis is great to see him so close in front of your window!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly caught my attention.
DeleteWow, Great photos of the hawk with it's dinner. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteRemember , it was through a window. If I had gone outside it would have disappeared.
DeleteGood siting. Our coopers fly like the wind when they go after song birds. Too fast for me to every see if they are successful.
ReplyDeleteYes , they are quick.
DeleteThat hawk is a beauty, all right. You made me laugh when you said you are "a bit of a birder." Understatement! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe juvenile phase is very attractive.
DeleteThat's so exciting! Nature in the rough.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing seeing them so close.
Birders appreciate being close. Too many people don't care.
DeleteIt is quite a thing to see and photograph.
ReplyDeleteYes for the first time it was a big thrill.
DeleteWow! It's always exciting to see nature in action. I once saw a hawk sitting on a ledge in Washington, D.C. tearing up a pigeon! (That's not a political metaphor -- it actually happened.)
ReplyDeletePigeons seem to be fair "game" for some hawks.
DeleteAmazing photographs Red! We have a lot of hawks around here but they are all up high in trees and I can't tell what kind they are. Those are exciting pictures you've captured.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right ..high in trees or soaring high up.
DeleteA formidable bird!
ReplyDeletebirds of prey have some great skills.
DeleteThey use to dine regularly on my yard birds in Minnesota. They have to eat, I know, but I always felt guilty enticing a little bird into my yard with a bird feeder, only for him to become a meal himself!
ReplyDeleteI think quite a few bird feeders attract the hawks.
DeleteIt has beautiful colouring, doesn't it? Nature up close! Not always bloodless, but always interesting :)
ReplyDeleteThe cream and brown are great markings.
DeleteImpressive looking bird, nice capture!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It posed for me.
DeleteNeat pics, especially for through the window!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have had a chance to go outside and find the bird.
DeleteWe have witnessed a Coopers hawk swoop down and catch a bird off of our bird feeder. They are quite agile at flying through and around obstacles.
ReplyDeleteI've never been "a birder" but I know the thrill of seeing a magnificent bird of prey.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lifer!
this is magnificent hawk dear Red!
ReplyDeletei found images INCREDIBLE
by enlarging i was able to see the poor sparrow ah rules of nature are stern and cruel
Good shots. It's always sad to see a hawk take a bird but that's what a sparrowhawk did in front of my very eyes in my garden. It was awesomely fast but sad at the same time. It's always amazed me how the birds scatter and the carry on as if nothing had happened.
ReplyDeleteGreat series. Thanks for sharing Red.
ReplyDeleteAs unfortunate as it was to see the sparrow being the hawk's meal, the photos were quite incredible to have captured, Red. I know how excited birders can get over spotting a first-time bird.
ReplyDelete