Copyright ©2023 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
For several weeks we’ve had a Cooper’s Hawk perching on a neighbor’s tree out back. With all the White-crown Sparrows, and Quail about I’m sure it’s hoping for a meal.
I’ve been enjoying seeing it perched there.
Cooper’s Hawk
Fun Facts-
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- Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone.
- A Cooper’s Hawk captures a bird with its feet and kills it by repeated squeezing. Falcons tend to kill their prey by biting it, but Cooper’s Hawks hold their catch away from the body until it dies. They’ve even been known to drown their prey, holding a bird underwater until it stopped moving.
- Once thought averse to towns and cities, Cooper’s Hawks are now fairly common urban and suburban birds. Some studies show their numbers are actually higher in towns than in their natural habitat, forests. Cities provide plenty of Rock Pigeon and Mourning Dove prey. Though one study in Arizona found a downside to the high-dove diet: Cooper’s Hawk nestlings suffered from a parasitic disease they acquired from eating dove meat.
- Life is tricky for male Cooper’s Hawks. As in most hawks, males are significantly smaller than their mates. The danger is that female Cooper’s Hawks specialize in eating medium-sized birds. Males tend to be submissive to females and to listen out for reassuring call notes the females make when they’re willing to be approached. Males build the nest, then provide nearly all the food to females and young over the next 90 days before the young fledge.
- The oldest recorded Cooper’s Hawk was a male and at least 20 years, 4 months old. He was banded in California in 1986, and found in Washington in 2006.
Fun Facts gleaned from allaboutbirds.org
Fuji X-T3| Fujinon 100-400mm| PS CC 24.1.0
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Hawks are fascinating. You captured this one perfectly, Deborah!
Thank you so much, Paul!
Great capture
Thank you so much, Satwikt!
Awesome to learn more about this bird and Deborah – I really appreciate the photos of our avian friends because I don’t get to see very many in our neighborhood – a lot of robins and small backyard birds
Thank you so much, Yvette!! 😀🙏
😊☀️hope your weekend was pleasant
It was quiet and stormy. I finished reading my second book for the year already!
Well good for you!
Now it is in to book three?📚
Yes, I started it yesterday. It’s book 7 in a Sci-fi series I’ve been reading by Joshua Dalzelle called Omega Force.
Sounds really interesting
Beautiful Photo!
Thank you so much, Raymond!
What a gorgeous Hawk! We have one that likes to visit where I work 😊 Thank you for sharing these fun facts and your gorgeous photo! I learned a little more today!
How exciting that you get see one while at work. I think it would brighten your work day just a bit! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comment! I’m glad you liked the fun facts too. 😀
It definitely does. I always say hi to it! Of course! You’re very welcome 😊
😀
What a treat to see your gorgeous photo! I love hawks.
Thank you so much, Jennie! I love them too. My favorite is the White-tailed Kite, but we don’t have them in NV, sadly.
Do you have red-tailed hawks? I must Google White-tailed Kite. Not only are hawks lovely, they keep the crows away.
We do! There’s a pair that have been nesting on the golf course where we live for a few years that I’ve been photographing for a couple of them. They’re the most common hawk in the States.
A Kite isn’t technically a Hawk it’s a Kite which is its own species, but they’re a predator so, I forget sometimes it’s not a hawk. The white-tailed kite is so pretty with big amber eyes.
Here’s my favorite shot of one. I got that shot on my birthday that year too. What a gift!
How beautiful! You have probably posted photos of a red-tail before, and I didn’t recall. Thank you for the information on the Kite.
You’re welcome, Jennie! 🤗
Wonderful capture! The hawk together with the snow covered branches make it something special!
Thank you so much, Denise! That hoar frost and snow only lasted a day! I’m so glad I was home to see the Hawk just then.
Beautiful capture, Deborah!
Thank you so much, Sue!!
Gorgeous raptor, Deborah, the snowy branches adds a stunning touch! Bad ‘ole hawkie…..leave the little birdies alone! 😉
Thank you, Donna!! Ah, even the hawks have to eat. 🤣
Yes, they do!! lol
That’s a beautiful photograph. I love the snow on the branches. Thanks for the information on the hawk.
Thank you so much, Dan! That frost only lasted a day or two, but it was beautiful while it lasted.
I’m glad you liked the information about the Cooper’s Hawk too.
Aww such a beautiful photo ☺️🤗 I have a family of hawks that live in the trees by my yard and they’re huge!
April ♡ aprilnarducci.com
Thank you so much, April! How exciting that you get to see them everyday in your yard!!
It truly is! I look forward to it all the time, haha. They love my yard because we’re out in the country and have lots of grass with bugs they like I guess, lol!
And, less people!! 😃
I’ve learned to appreciate hawks as I’ve grown older and wiser. I didn’t know the oldest one lived 20 years, 4 months. That seems incredible to me.
Thank you so much, Ally! Isn’t that something that it lived that long! I agree pretty incredible.
Now this was just a magical event Deborah. I have a particular affinity for hawks. Tha k you for the i formation a out them as well.
Thank you, Cheryl! I’m glad you like the fun facts too. 😃
Thanks Deborah for the interesting facts about this bird. It has a similar hunting technique to the Pacific Baza
Thank you, Ashley! I’m going to look up that bird. I’ve never heard of it or seen one. 😃
That’s quite a compendium of avian facts.
I like allaboutbirds. They have great identifying tips, and fun facts. Thanks, Steve!
Gosh, what a gorgeous photo and some fascinating facts. Around here we have Cooper’s Hawk restaurant, also fun but not nearly as handsome. 🙂 Good sangria, though.
Thanks, Janet! Cheers! 🍷
That photo is surreal it is so stunning. A++ 🙂
Thank you so much, Judy! 😃
Thanks for the interesting info!
Thanks for reading along, Pit! I’m glad you liked the fun facts too.
You’re welcome!
That is a beautiful image!
Thank you so much, Brian!
Lovely bird and composition, Deborah!
Thank you so much, Belinda!
Great fun facts, Deborah.
Thank you, John. I’m glad you liked them!
😊
Deborah, that is a prefect picture of the Cooper’s on a winter perch, beautiful. Enjoy the fun facts too.
Thank you so much, John!
That’s a wonderful picture Deborah! I was kind of planning to reincarnate as a Cooper Hawk, but after your information about his relation with the stonger sex, I’m starting to have serious doubts. The Californian hawk however did seem to have broken a record. Tough dude. 🙂
ROFL!!! That’s too funny, Peter! You could come back as the female Cooper’s Hawk…just saying. 🤣🤣
Thank you, Peter!!
You have the best friends in your neighborhood!!
😃 They are nice! Thank you so much, Rebecca!
He certainly is handsome, posing for you on those frost covered branches. Deborah, you did a terrific job with this shot. It couldn’t have been easy. Happy New Year, and hugs.
I was hoping not to spook it. I have several times! Thankfully, it does come back. Thank you so much, Teagan! 🤗