The other morning my hubby and I where sitting having breakfast and looking out our picture window at the bird feeders. I turned to my hubby and said I bet he is out there somewhere and that is why we do not have any birds coming to the feeders. Well shortly after I said that he flew in and sat on top of the one bird feeders and cased the area. Then flew up in the tree overlooking the feeder, to see is any breakfast would show up. I am so glad none did. But he is beautiful none the less. I believe that he is a Coopers Hawk. I have a hard time telling the Coopers Hawk from the Sharp Shined Hawk we also have around here.
Wow, what a pretty boy! I'm not absolutely sure, but I think he's a Sharp Shinned Hawk--Cooper's usually aren't that striped on their chests, and the tail is shorter than a Cooper's. I love hawks--they are so good at what they do, and look so regal. Our hawks hunt the pasture and rarely come close to the house to "case" the bird feeders.
Oh my what a great photograph Tooty!! We have Sparrow hawks that do exactly the same as yours. I love to see them but always feel so sorry for the odd little bird that falls prey to them. Nature can seem cruel but the birds of prey have to eat too and raise families and I would hate to see them decline for the want of food.
Great shot! Yes, I would say Coopers Hawk too. Sharp Shinned Hawks have squared off tail feathers when resting.
tThank you all for enjoying seeing such a beauty. He posed so nicely for the picture I was thrilled the shots turned out. Netty after looking at some more pic's I do believe as I first thought and you did to. He is a Coopers Hawk. Eileen we also have Sparrow Hawks around here also. But they are few and far between. I think it is because the Coopers and Sharp Shined Hawks hunt them as well. So we do not have any around our home. But I do see them sitting on the power lines when I drive into town. Happy Birding everyone.
What a great picture. We have hawks come stake out our feeders from time to time. (seems like more in the winter) We live near the edge of town and a wooded area where they must nest. It is apparent when we see birds "frozen" in place on a tree or feeder when they sense the predator is near. I don't wish to have the hawks dine in my backyard.
That's a lovely bird. I know how you feel about him eating your birds. We've got the same problem here, but ours is a northern goshawk.
Droopy I feel really sad when he catch's one of our birds in our front yard where our feeders are. But I guess that is nature just being nature. But it still really bothers me.
