Sometimes nature is downright gory. This afternoon, I spotted a big Cooper’s hawk making a meal of a bird! He was surrounded by gray and black feathers; sadly, it looks like feathers from a catbird. It took him about 15 minutes to devour his prize.
The Cooper’s hawk specializes in eating medium sized birds!! They’re often seen at feeders trying to nab a plump mourning dove, jay, robin, or starling. They also eat mammals such as chipmunks, squirrels, mice, and bats. Cooper’s hawks kill their prey by grabbing it in their feet and squeezing it to death. They’ve also been known to drown prey as well by holding the hapless creature under water until it stops moving.
Cooper’s hawks have a steel gray back with a black barred tail with a white tip. The head is a darker shade of gray and the nape is lighter. Their chest and stomach are reddish. Identification is sometimes difficult because they closely resemble the Sharp-shinned hawk which is a little smaller.
While the hawk was enjoying his meal, the backyard was deathly quiet. Birdfeeders and birdbaths were empty and nothing seemed to move. That’s smart because one bird might not have satisfied this big guy's appetite.
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