[EBB Sightings] Cooper Hawk

A Cooper's Hawk has made my yard a regular stop for years and frequently 
exhibits the same behavior.  He swoops in and perches on the fence as doves, 
finches and sparrows flee the feeders.  Then he starts searching the bushes 
and small trees for slow-pokes that didn't make it out.  As I've watched him 
perch on the lower branches peering upward couldn't help thinking, "I'd be 
one scared bird if I were in that bush."  At least 90% of his attempts fail, 
as is true of almost all predators, but the piles of feathers I sometimes 
find indicate my yard is a worthwhile lunch stop.
Bob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Clark" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 9:25 AM
Subject: [EBB Sightings] Cooper Hawk


> Over Labor Day weekend, while I was painting, I heard
> a commotion outside. I looked out to see this Cooper
> Hawk in our yard (in Livermore) upsetting all the
> finches and sparrows. Normally, I'd expect a Cooper to
> be agilely maneuvering through the forest. This
> juvenile seemed a little new to the concept. She kept
> hopping (like a robin) into the bushes looking for
> lunch. The whole bush would shake, and then she'd
> emerge empty-handed. But the third time was the
> charm... she finally hopped out, clutching a sparrow
> in her claw. After that, she didn't seem quite sure
> how to perch with one claw, while holding the prey
> with the other. She kept falling off various
> perches around the yard... before starting to tear off
> bits to eat. It was quite fascinating to watch... and
> I had a "birds-eye" view from our bedroom, after I
> popped out the screen window. We are thrilled that
> our yard bird-feeding now includes a sparrow-buffet.