The Observation Deck

A Coopers Hawk sits in a tree on the rim of Emerald Canyon.


Checking me out.

It is usually the Coopers Hawk that is seen in our front and back yards killing our birds.

The can sit far away and watch bird feeders for hours before coming in for a kill.


They are crazy hunters chasing pray through bushes, also risking their very well being
chasing other birds, and squirrels. You often see Coopers Hawks with broken wings or
dead on the side of the road as they collide with trucks and cars while zeroing in on a kill.

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Thanks for today's nature lesson, Ranger Jim!

And you often see Coopers Hawks in Missy's trees, and trying to land on her head. Yes the wonderful family came back to my house, flying over my head, dropping their "carcasses" ON me, and the one trying to land on my head. Every year....same story...I am not the Hawk Queen...just saying.

Although I have not seen them as close-up as in these great photos, I think I have seen them around our stretch of the freeway.

Jim great pics... These are all Nat Geo quality.. Do you ever film?

Edward Favre wrote:Although I have not seen them as close-up as in these great photos, I think I have seen them around our stretch of the freeway.

Ed,

I'll bet that the hawks you are seeing around the freeway are Red Tailed Hawks. Those often sit on the high light posts along the highway. Their hunting style is to sit on a high perch or fly high until they see see their prey, then dive on it.

Cooper's Hawks are more close-in hunters that count on surprise. They fly through trees and bushes to attack their prey in a very aggressive fashion. I've seen them actually half-run and half-fly across the ground to grab a chipmunk.

It is reported that almost 25% of Cooper's Hawks show evidence of broken bones from attacking through dense vegetation.

Cooper's hawks are very well adapted to urban and suburban living. They like to poach at bird feeders and will often attack a feeder by approaching the opposite side of a home from the feeder, then quickly dive down on unsuspecting birds and squirrels. Really fun to watch.

If you see a hawk flying low around your home in Lakewood, it is most likely a Cooper's Hawk. The Red Tailed hawks are more high-flying and high-perching in areas where they can get a wide view.

Steve

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stephen davis wrote:... sit on a high perch or fly high until they see see their prey, then dive on it.

That sounds familiar.

We have a nest!!!! I noticed the other day the hawks came back to the nest they had 2 years ago. I love watching the family grow up. I am so excited.