Cooper's Hawk - a beautiful but deadly hunter
My introduction to the Cooper’s Hawk was fast and furious; it was over in seconds.
I was sitting in a chair one sunny winter morning watching finches, juncos, and bluebirds enjoy the feeder and heated bird bath I had set up. Without warning, a Cooper’s Hawk flew low over my shoulder and crashed into the bush just behind the birdbath. The birds scattered. The hawk appeared no worse for wear from the impact, but that is often not the case. One study of 300 Cooper’s Hawk carcasses found chest bone fractures in 23 percent of the skeletons.
Cooper’s hawk blending into tree canopy.
The Cooper’s Hawk is a bird eater, medium-sized ones such as robins, flickers, doves, jays, and quail; they may also consume squirrels and other small mammals. Unlike Red-tailed Hawks that perch openly on a branch or utility pole, a Cooper’s Hawk seeks camouflage in the dense tree canopy from where it furtively surveils avian activity below. When it leaves its observation post in pursuit of its chosen prey, like a speeding bullet, it seems to have come from out of nowhere. Bird activity at feeders is a common attraction for the Cooper’s Hawk.
Looking for a way into quail hide.
In the oak woodland habitat of the Sierra foothills, California Quail are a target of choice. Quail that seek shelter in thick brush, a hedge row, or a hide in an open field are not necessarily safe. I’ve watched a Cooper’s Hawk pounce repeatedly atop the foliage, or seek entry to the hideout from ground level.
You can hear the frenetic “pit, pit, pit, pit” call of the quail as the hawk relentlessly attempts to flush its prey out of hiding. A spooked quail often ends up in the talons of the Cooper’s Hawk, which suffocates the quail with its strong feet before ripping it apart with its hooked beak.
Stealth, surprise, and speed are hallmarks of the Cooper’s Hawk hunt. Short, rounded wings combined with a long tail that provides lift and acts as a steering rudder facilitate rapid navigation through the confines of their forest and woodland habitat. Consuming about twelve percent of its body weight each day, the Cooper’s Hawk is an active hunter.
Cooper’s Hawk eating a California quail.
Along a ten mile stretch of the San Joaquin River near Fresno, Calif. where I kayak each week with friends, Cooper’s Hawks have recently begun to accompany us for a mile or two. From the point where we meet up with them, they leapfrog through the oak tree canopy along the river banks, keeping a couple hundred feet ahead as we approach.
They have to be hunting, wouldn’t you think? After all, it’s not likely they are interested in the fine art of kayak paddle strokes. Why else would they expend so much energy, especially during wintertime?
Their behavior might be explained by the presence of Canada Geese, cormorants, Bufflehead, American Coots, and many other bird species all along the riparian landscape. As our kayaks approach those flocks, they go airborne and move further downriver, again and again as we approach, just like the Cooper’s Hawks.
Cooper’s Hawk in flight out of hiding.
The theory that the hawks are hoping to ambush waterfowl that keep moving away from our kayaks was confirmed during a recent trip. From a downriver vantage point, a Cooper’s Hawk dove into a thicket on a sand bar about 20 feet ahead of our group. Out jumped a deer that we had paused to admire. Why would the hawk want to scare up a deer, I wondered? Moments later, I understood: out flapped a small duck from the foliage where the hawk had landed.
It wasn’t but ten minutes later that, again, a Cooper’s Hawk suddenly appeared. It flew behind me and descended upon a coot that found itself trapped between the steep bank and my kayak. Cooper’s Hawks are known to drown their prey, but this individual coot managed to escape. Clearly, the hunt was on.
Until next week, Coops, good luck hunting.
p.s. If you are not already on my mailing list and wish to be added for future posts, please send an email to: robertgroos1@gmail.com. Your information will not be shared, and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Thank you.
Cooper’s Hawk dissecting a California quail.
Cooper’s Hawk at bird bath.
Trying to spook quail out of hedge.
