Cooper's Hawk: a Reckless Predator! NARRATED

[@NarfBLAST]

We have a pair of Coopers Hawks who have returned for the third year in a row to our backyard. It brings us great joy to see how they raise their young each summer. They just returned a week ago at the beginning of March. Greetings from Southern Ontario, Canada.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Back at ya from St. Louis Missouri. That would be interesting to watch those Hawks raise a family. We get so many birds in our yard that I don’t guess I would want the Cooper’s hawks nesting there. It might mean we wouldn’t get all the other birds. But we do get to see plenty of the Cooper’s hawks, stopping by to hunt for their next meal.

[@jasonpatterson8091]

Cooper's hawks don't kill their prey by suffocation because they want to avoid getting hurt. They lack the notch in their beak (called a tomial tooth) that falcons all have. That notch is used to separate the vertebrae of their prey. Without it, hawks and buteos rely on their feet to crush/stab their prey to death. Also, they definitely have predators. It is quite common for a larger bird of prey or a fox or coyote to attack and kill a hawk while it is on prey. They are grounded, preoccupied, and relatively clumsy fliers from the ground - they make easy targets for something like a red tailed hawk. That's why the bird is looking around so warily while it's grounded.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you for the information.

[@adznz11]

Yes they are definitely meso predators and their behaviour aligns with it. I would say that is more of a contributing factor to their short brutal lives than just their method of hunting. They are very vunerable on a kill. Unlike prey birds they have binocular vision so they have big blind spots. They have a very tough existsnce and are very vunerable not just to ground predators but their larger cousins. They have a tough lives and are very highly strung. That is why they are only considered for very advanced falconers.

[@kbkesq]

Great info thanks. Why would it call out loudly after the kill? Seems it would attract unwanted attention from larger hawks.

[@pattimbrook4945]

I have been enjoying several juvenile Cooper Hawks this summer. Love to listen & watch them early mornings.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I know the feeling, Pat.

[@anthonymelchiorre7366]

Great video and informative - I was just watching my resident back yard (bird feeder) Cooper's hawk perched in my tree watching- eyes were deep yellow and although he was large I now realize he was only a juvenile- new hobby, passion, etc. Gods beauty can not be matched- nature is medicine

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm with you on that "nature is medicine" idea. I'm glad you found this movie useful. I certainly enjoyed making it. And in fact, I'm now working on a film to show you how to tell a Cooper's hawk from a Sharp-shinned Hawk--not an easy skill to master! I have super close footage of the Cooper's.

[@9798angel]

Classily done Jo!! Hard to care for raptors if you like small birds but it is the circle of life each creature created for a different purpose without the knowledge of their "cruelty".

[@stephenwalter2129]

I knew a guy named cooper, I would describe him as a predator

[@pamela2773]

Absolutely ❤

[@travisbicklejr]

Mrs. Alwood, I recently discovered your channel, and, I must say, it’s truly outstanding! Thank you so much!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I love it when someone tells me that they just discovered my channel and think it's outstanding. I do give every film my best effort, so thanks for encouraging me to keep it up.

[@omgdwayne1565]

We live in a fairly remote area of North Georgia, and we have a nesting pair of Cooper's Hawks that has been around for a while. They like hanging around a pasture above us where there are two horses and a barn; things that attract mice. We see them a LOT, and they are super fun to watch. We also have nesting pairs of both red-tail hawks and great horned owls. But they prefer loitering around a large pond in front of our house. We see them quite frequently too. The owls are especially predictable. Right at dusk they will come and perch of some high limbs in our yard and hunt whatever it is they see down there. Mice? Voles? Rabbits? Can't tell. But sometimes they will land on the ground and actually run. Not hopping, but running. It's very strange to see. Awesome birds though. I love to hear them hooting late at night. Our favorites. We've named our Al the Owl and Sal the Gal Owl. We have yet to find their nest though. I'd like to see it.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I loved reading your comment. Thanks for taking the time to describe all that. I've been slow to reply because of illness, but I do want to suggest that you watch my movie about Great Horned Owls from 3 Weeks to 3 Months and another one about Great Horned Owls Showering. I'm betting those vids will appeal to you.

[@omgdwayne1565]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I've never seen owls showering. I do know that they have a hard time hunting when they are wet because it makes them into noisy flyers instead of the silent killers that they are usually. Amazing video. We've also got geese, diving ducks, green/grey egrets around here. The only thing we haven't seen are bobcats. I know that they are around, but it's been years since I've seen one. I really like to see the egrets fly. Very impressive. Hope you're feeling better.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@omgdwayne1565 Your. observation about wet feathers being noisy makes sense. As for my health, I', scheduled for surgery Tuesday , and pain is interfering with much of what I need to do. Thanks for your concern.

[@egalitarian2207]

Been seeing a bunch of Cooper’s hawks at my new place. Love love love your narrations Jo

[@karelcardet588]

Great video and narration. I just want to point that the bird shown in time 2:16 is a sharp shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yes indeed, Karel, and I should have noticed before I posted the movie that the hawk at 2:16 was an adult but that it had no cap--therefore not a Cooper's. Six months after I posted this movie, I did another about how to distinguish a Cooper's from a Sharpie, and boy did I learn a lot in the process. If I had done those movies in the reverse order, I think I'd have noticed that the bird in question was a Sharpie. Anyway I appreciate the correction--as well as the kind words about the video and narration.

[@LouieTheLip]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Nice video; thank you. Just had some sort of hawk with same type of striped tail land in yard where I feed sparrows, doves, starlings, & jays & I did a "hawks in new england" search & this was 5th video down. I wish they weren't such carnivores & were more interested in food that isn't other birds! 👌

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@LouieTheLip I get it, wishing they'd leave your birds alone. Seeing one take a Mourning Dove disturbs me. Oh well, I didn't get to create a world where the lion lies down with the lamb. Nature is cruel. At least the hawks are proud, intense, exciting birds.

[@LouieTheLip]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Very true; one thing I keep telling myself is its nobody's fault one must eat. It will certainly be interesting to see how bird species may evolve over time.

[@eaasos2343]

I was surprised that the Cooper's Hawk had many healed bones of the chest. I learn so much from you! Thanks very much for the great information!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I know! I was surprised about the healed fractures too. I learn so much from the internet and I get a kick out of passing on the most interesting tidbits.

[@NavvyMom]

Ditto on the healed chest bones. Wow!

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

The Coopers Hawk’s high pitched call sounds surprisingly delicate for this fierce bird of prey!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Good point, Danielle. But I'll bet that cry strikes terror into a Mourning Dove's heart.

[@icejunki]

My son and I thoroughly enjoyed this video and the information you presented. Thank you. SUBSCRIBED

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Love to hear it, Clem.Thanks for telling me. And I have another video about how to tell the difference between the Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned Hawk (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs). By the way, I don't publish all the often, so the smart thing to do is to click the bell next to the Subscribe button. That way you'll get an email notifying you of new vids.

[@bobm549]

Thank you for the video. I live in Alton and it is a treat to see any raptor film from our area. Watched a pair of Cooper's as they nested and eventually moved on this past season (2018). Every day on leaving or on coming home from work, the first thing I did was grab my binoculars off the seat and watch them , sometimes arriving at work late or very close to. In the past years we have watched coopers dispatch and eat blackbirds in our yard as the neighbor next door has a smorgasbord of feeders !

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're just a hop, skip and a jump from us in Ferguson. I wish I had known you last summer. I'd have tried to get some film of the nest. (I have a Nikon P1000, which gives incredible distance, so I wouldn't have disturbed them.) Check out the film I recently posted about how to tell Cooper's hawks and Sharp-shinned hawks apart: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@CaliFaunaDreamn]

Very cool info on the Cooper's! I like seeing the other clips about this bird that you included, & it was nice to be able to make a contribution. Thanks for sharing this!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad to hear how much you enjoyed "our" movie. Your clip added so much, not only because of the action in it but also because it showed off his beautiful plumage.

[@jcrawdawg7470]

theres a coopers hawk nest right above my house in souther california.they are pretty fearless.very fun to watch fly around

[@GunnyKeith]

Thanks sister, great coverage. Their eyes are so mean looking

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're welcome, Keith. And by the way: those mean looking eyes are telling you the truth about them. 😲

[@ellentipping1065]

I love your videos. You deliver the best info in a succinct way. I am glad I found your channel.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you found my channel too, Ellen, and thanks for the praise. I'm currently working on a long (15 minutes) video about White-throated Sparrows. That'll be up in a week or two.

[@ctmelear]

Very informative. I'm pretty sure this is the hawk I've glimpsed in my yard. I have found feathers near my feeders. I appreciate the clear descriptions of both the juvenile and the adult.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Day before yesterday, my husband actually saw a Cooper's Hawk take a Mourning Dove. My husband has been birding for more than 35 years, and that was the first time he ever saw it happen. Much more common is your experience, Claudia: glimpses of the hawk from time to time and telltale feathers near your feeders. You might be better off not seeing the attack happen. It kinda shook my husband up, and he's not usually sentimental. But he was so impressed with how fierce the hawk was.

[@anndaniels3545]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME that's what happened to us this very morning, it was sad to watch but the struggle was over fast!! 😞 The hawk was hungry just like us

[@bread9173]

I have had so many of them fly in front of me when hiking. Also lots of them at my feeders along with red-shouldered hawks. I have also seen cooper's hawks swoop and do crazy maneuvers in the forest, makes sense why some would hurt themselves.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's a thrill, isn't it, when one swoops by you in the woods?!

[@Edyth_Hedd]

Great video, Jo! We've had Cooper's in our neighborhood in Beverly, MA for years, and they take out a lot of mourning doves (and the occasional cardinal, unfortunately...).

[@bertanelson8062]

Good video, as always! I love seeing these hawks up close. Thank you!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

This one was one of my favorites this year, along with the Damselfly, the Mandarin Duck, and the Crested Oropendola. Thanks, Berta. These fierce, alert birds are compelling when you see them closeup.

[@WellaWally65]

They are absolutely gorgeous!! My wonderful Blue Jays went berserk screaming more than normal a few months ago, and when I looked out the window, there was this Beautiful Hawk!! A little scary and intimidating, but absolutely beautiful!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Speaking of the hawk's beauty, I love the shot where he sits with his back to us and fans his tail out so that he can bring it around to his head and preen it.

[@StarAnyse]

Awesome video - thank you! We have (what we think is) a family that visits somewhat regularly (adult(s) & younger) over the past two (or three?) years in southern New Jersey. This morning we had one on east & west side of house at the same time!!!

[@angusvanhalen2886]

Great video! I’ve got one hanging around my feeder’s this summer, and had never even heard of a Coopers Hawk. I thought it was an immature red tail

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I was answering another commenter about this movie and noticed that I had never responded to you. Better late than never? The Cooper’s Hawks have been decimating our morning dove population these last couple of weeks! Yesterday as I stood near the living room window, a Mourning dove crashed into it and fell limp to the ground. The Cooper’s hawk pounced on it and took it away immediately. It’s a wonder we have any doves left at all.

[@anndaniels3545]

Geez, Late here, was googling exactly what I saw by my bird feeder, an explosion that looked like a child's downey pillow ripped in mid air. Then I see a small blackish grayish beautiful small hawk, never have I seen any besides the red- tailed, here in GA. He/ or she had a dove at the edge of yard where the hawk had taken the prey and, as you shared here, never bit just kept readjusting his talons. After maybe ? 30 seconds the bird stopped fluttering ( thank God!) and the hawk flew off with it. This hawk is the same one I believe I witnessed, about a month ago, flying out of our shrub like it was shot out of a cannon, probably how it hunts! Thanks for your very fascinating video 🤗😊

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're welcome, Ann, and thanks for the vivid description of what you saw. I've experienced it, and it's like rubbernecking at a car wreck. No matter how much the scene troubles us, we look.

[@Pantheragatos]

I usually hear Red Tailed Hawks but today heard something different. It was a Cooper’s Hawk. I couldn’t see it well but it was making calls, while being chased by crows.

[@davidhlnda]

Awesome, in the original meaning of the term. I watched this because I thought i saw a coopers on Mt Tam, Near SF. I think it definitely was after watching its rapid flight patterns, size and barring, It was an adult and fairly large probably a female. Much thanks for helping me identify this amazing bird

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

A friend is typing on my behalf because of carpal tunnel issues. I do appreciate your comment and hopefully in the future I may reply myself. Thank you!

[@davidhlnda]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Hoping your pain eases and you can get back to doing great work like this video

[@shanemarcotte2062]

Oh and after hearing your narration I searched your channel, watched a bunch of videos and then of course subscribed :)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Aha-ha! And another unwitting KZbin surfer falls victim to my wily plan to lure people to my channel ... with fine videos! 😉

[@ME-ru4hv]

This is a very well done and you have a great narration voice Jo! I lost our other chat, my bad.. hope you understand and I will love the woodpecker videos too!

[@RickyLJones]

Love the video Jo, and you're totally right, if you have bird feeders, a Cooper's Hawk isn't far away! LOL Keep up the great videos!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I take it you see the Cooper's Hawk regularly then near your own feeders, huh, Ricky? Handsome devil, isn't he? Day before yesterday, when I wasn't home, my husband watched one for fifteen minutes chasing birds and squirrels all over our backyard. He had never seen one stick around hunting for that long--sitting still, sure, but not actively hunting. I'm so sorry I missed the drama. And by the way, I will keep up the 'great videos'. Praise like that motivates me to keep doing my best on every film.

[@RobBrulinski]

Great info! Just saw our first Cooper’s hawk at our feed spot, brazenly flaying at the other birds

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yeah, they're pretty brazen. Would you like more sightings of them or prefer for them to stay away from your birds? By the way, I also did a movie about how to tell the difference between the Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned Hawks. That one might be worth your time to watch, since it's possible that what you have is a Sharpie.

[@kentexican5844]

Nice footage and narration confirming some of my observations and speculation.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you found it useful, Ken. You might also want to check out the movie I made about how to tell Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks apart.

[@autumnwhispers2me]

These guys and Sharpies are all around our heavily wooded property. They perch on the tall oak trees. They’re beautiful. But I often just have to step away from the window and. It look at the bird feeders. My birds do have many places to take cover though. Anyway, gorgeous video.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yeah, hey, as long as you give the songbirds cover, that's the natural order of things.

[@violina48]

What a lovely share, Joan! Thank you!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's my pleasure to share this impressive bird, Annemieke. Thanks for commenting.

[@jackiehooks4189]

I saw you videos back in the winter and it was a lot of good information.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks, Jackie. I appreciate the compliment. And if you'll excuse a bit of self promotion, I'll add that I've got well over 200 movies available to subscribers. I like to think they're all informative and entertaining.

[@jsmcguireIII]

Saw an Anna's Hummingbird chase our local Cooper's out of the neighborhood last evening. So humiliating!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a great story! Wish I had seen it myself! What do you want to bet that the Cooper’s Hawk would have said he was leaving anyway? 😏

[@m.kennedy342]

We see the same quite often. Our hummingbirds (Anna’s, Rufous, Rivoli’s, and Black Chinned) fly all around the Coopers and chatter away and chase them off while all the songbirds sit quietly in the bushes.

[@morgangraham4326]

This is an excellent resource. You are awesome!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's really nice, Morgan, to feel like this movie helps other people. The funny part is that I am not a "real bird watcher". I am learning little by little as I film one bird after another, so I am a not completely ignorant. But when you never have to go off script, you can sound like you know more than you really do. Anyway, like I said, knowing that this bit of work substantially helps people gives me a glow

[@cameronpfiffner3415]

We moved from the city of Chicago to a farm 10 years ago. There has been a pair of Cooper’s hawks that raise their young here every year. I’m pretty sure the present pair contains a descendant of the original pair. It’s great watching flight training school, where the adults and fledgelings chase each other around the woods in our back yard. The previous owners of the farm planted the trees in rows, so they’re like pylons~ ideal for training purposes. I once watched three baby chickens running towards me across the lawn. From behind the woodpile a hawk rose, darted forward, grabbed the middle chick and flipped over to return the way it had come. It was over so fast that the two other chicks didn’t even see it, but afterwards slowed to a stop, realizing one of them was no longer present.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a memorable sight that was! I'm sure you'll never forget it. I've never had a chance to observe their young or even see these hawks hurtling through woods. We do have woods, but I've only seen the Cooper's in our yard, haunting the bird feeders. Thanks for telling me about your experience.

[@outoftownr3906]

Cooper’s hawk do have predators - Goshawk & Great Horned Owl

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I stand corrected.

[@charlesclark6561]

And cats…

[@anndaniels3545]

@@charlesclark6561 yes and ferrel cats are wrecking alot of havoc on our ecosystem because quite frankly people aren't getting their cats spayed or neutered. Betty White would be disgraced. 😔😔😔

[@johnnyc613]

Cool video .. I know it’s you talked about coopers but I had a rare encounter with a sharp shined that landed in my tree. ... 10 ft from me .. he had those red eyes and pretty big .. this only happened because I was already covered and photographing the other birds !!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a (frustrating) thrill! You may be unaware of it, but I also did a movie about how to tell the Cooper's hawk from a Sharpie.

[@kjgas6945]

Just saw one yesterday standing in the middle of the yard. I think it was a juvenile I was just standing there! I went out to see if it was standing on something it wasn't. Just standing on a stick. It let me get real close before it flew off. It was not that afraid. As small as it was I thought it might be some kind of Falcon. But the picture on your video is exactly what it was. In the juvenile phase. Thank you for the show enjoyed it!

[@rodbelding9523]

Just today I watched one of these sit in my yard and pick apart a small bird for about a half hour, pretty cool to watch nature in action.

[@Texasmilitarydepartmentvid9654]

Cool i saw a Cooper Hawk kill a White Tabby in my backyard yesterday . Stupid cat jumped over the fence and climbed up the old oak tree going after the Hawk that Raptor was like thank's for being a stupid cat . There's white patches of fur at the base of the tree 😂. Wait until i tell my naighbors there cat mittens got eaten by a Hawk yesterday.

[@juliepeterson6106]

Sad

[@dianecrumbley90]

Thank you, Jo. Very informative! I had thought that Cooper’s had predators, such as eagles. Thanks again! I’m so ready for spring. We had a teasing of warm weather here in north Georgia. But that’s gone now. Rain and cold winds lately. Take care. 💐

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I suppose an eagle could take a Cooper's Hawk, Diane, but it would be a rare occurrence. So you were right that the hawk has predators, but that's why I said he had none "to speak of". I've been feeling pity for you poor folk on the East Coast. In Georgia, you've missed the worst of the end of winter snowstorms, but still .... Anyway, spring is close.

[@clintboal8046]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Really nice and positive video, but some additional info; Cooper's hawks are regularly killed by great horned owls, and in northern regions, northern goshawks. They can also be killed by other larger hawks if they catch them unawares. Also, the hawk killing the starling is a Sharp-shinned hawk (a very easy mistake to make).

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

We have both Great Horned Owls (whom I've filmed a lot) and Cooper's and Sharp-shinned. I wouldn't have thought that the GHOs would take a Cooper's, but they're certainly fierce--so I don't doubt you. As for the hawk killing a Starling, how can you tell it's a Sharpie? I'm hoping to get enough Sharp-shinned footage to do a movie about the differences between the two. (I recently bought a Nikon P1000, which gives me distance shots like I haven't been able to get before, and I got some fantastic footage of a Cooper's Hawk day before yesterday.) But I don't pretend to be particularly good at telling them apart, and I certainly can't in that shot you mentioned.

[@johnjude2685]

Thanks for I love this, And we have a visitor ( seems pretty sure it's a young copper hawk) Such a beautiful bird in statue or in motion . We have seen him many times for about 2-3 months Thanks for the helping her I D as yellow eyes making a young age

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I appreciate you commenting, John. For the past week, we've had a Cooper's coming every day to sit high in the branches of a dead Sycamore. I'm getting some beautiful footage! To see his head close up, swiveling and jerking as he looks in one spot after another, is awesome. If it's ID info you want, here's the place to look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@donaldpedigo296]

.. Great Camera-Technique .. Such Interesting Information About These Beautiful-Predators .. They Frequent My Bird-Feeder Often .. and are "So-Quiet" on Their Approach & as you say....All I Ever Hear is the "Explosion of Escaping Birds" .. 👍👍

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Donald. You obviously have had chances to observe these wily predators.

[@mrjbigfoot]

Very nice Jo! You have gotten some great shots!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad to hear you liked it, mrjbigfoot. Thanks again for the footage you contributed.

[@wildhorse333]

Last summer , my neighbors tree had coopers nest. Parents with 5kids, and they always feeding babies on my backyard tree. I took some photos n vids. And wish the couple come back same nest in this spring, but they didn’t. They may pick other tree of this area. I saw them few times.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I envy you the opportunity you had. But they do hang around our yard pretty often because of all our bird feeders.

[@wildhorse333]

Jo Alwood Thank you Jo, I haven’t bird feeder at yard, but I love falconry, so, I always looking for birds of prey. Happy new year and stay safe !!!

[@dirtwolf]

Just saw one of these stunning birds 2 days ago!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

👏

[@Texasmilitarydepartmentvid9654]

A Coopers Hawk in my backyard the other day killed my neighbors cat who lived across the street a White & Brown Tabby named Mittens 😂.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@Texasmilitarydepartmentvid9654 Really?! I wouldn't have thought they'd go after a cat. Interesting.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@Texasmilitarydepartmentvid9654 Sometimes, KZbin won't let me answer certain comments (no idea why!), and that's the case with your description of the hawk getting a cat. In fact, I couldn't even read all of it. But your mention that it was a big hawk made me wonder if it might rather have been a Red-tailed. They're much bigger than the Cooper's and better able to take on such a large animal.

[@ialanskaia]

Thank you so much for making this video! I learned a lot about this beautiful bird.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're welcome, Olga. I learned a lot as I made it. I learned even more a few months later when I made a movie about how to tell the Coooper's Hwk from the Sharp-shinned Hawk. In case that interests you, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@sonyascott6114]

Great video,thank you.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

My pleasure, Sonya. It's always nice to hear from someone who's enjoyed this movie.

[@VeriousSmithIII]

Great Video and Narration

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. I also have one explaining the differences between the Coopers and the Sharp-shinned in the case that would be useful to you.

[@codycox2685]

I have a coopers that likes to nest near my little campsite in my back woods. Gift from God.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I agree--though I suspect that most of the other inhabitants of that area are terrified of it.

[@codycox2685]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I would be too! Accipiters are so breathtaking though :)

[@raymondcook8364]

Great Video.

[@1Adventures2]

Great Presentation, a new subscriber!!! Thanks

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I love to hear that, not least because I have so many movies that I think you'll enjoy. I'm almost 81, so I don't post all that often these days, but I have over 300 movies that you can browse through. You might like to check out the popular uploads row on my home page.

[@lynnadams286]

Thank you. Nicely done.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I am glad to hear you liked it, Lynne. Thanks for commenting.

[@wyatt1339]

2:13 the editing killed me 😂 ... great video Jo!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I appreciate the specific example, Wyatt. I often wonder how viewers react to particular shots or which ones impressed them, so I was interested that you chose that, and I did think that still of the hawk's eyes created some of the drama I couldn't actually show you--since nobody really has good footage of the Cooper's taking prey. I'm working on getting such a shot, as a matter of fact. With some regularity, Cooper's and Sharpies grab Mourning Doves from under the feeders on our patio. So on days when the lighting would show the action nicely, I leave a camera trained on that area. One of these days .... !

[@robertmueller2023]

We have lots of them here in northern Idaho, forested canyon country. I seem to have a strange affinity for them as they will squawk at my neighbors when they are being disruptive.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Courtesy lessons from a hawk?!

[@robertmueller2023]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Lol. My neighbor was hammering on something next door and a Cooper's alighted on the maple tree at our fence line and began squawking angrily at him. I got it on tape. I sort of flirt with native american shamanistic beliefs of spirit animals.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@robertmueller2023 I don't flirt with shamanistic beliefs myself, but I do applaud the Cooper's hawk for scolding your noisy neighbor. We have a neighbor who finds joy in working with a chain saw. He did so on a sunny day two weeks ago, and all the birds left our yard for the day. I was cussing. Repeatedly.

[@VictoriaN72]

We’ve got one this winter! Beautiful.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yes, beautiful and impressive, Vickie. I just watched an immature in a Serviceberry Tree yesterday. Just seeing it sit there and then fly across the yard was a treat. By the way, I also have a film explaining the difference between a Cooper's and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Here's the link in case it would interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@johnjude2685]

Video is everything I hope for thanks for sharing

[@k_salter]

I'm here cuz I'm trying to find out exactly what is flying around my yard lately. Yup... I have birds feeders and feed squirrels, and coincidentally (?) a woodchuck has been hanging around lately. I only noticed this because the yard was silent for way too long one day- including grackles and crows. And didn't a hawk come swooping low from the trees and fly right over the bird feeder station; I did think he was going to smash into it. Thanks for the info (my cat enjoyed it, too).

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It’s likely that it was a Cooper’s hawk, but it might also have been a sharp shinned hawk. You could check out the movie I did comparing the two species.

[@hervedelnorte7928]

Hello Jo, The adult bird shown at approx. 2:17 with the starling shows a dark grey head with the grey going down the back of the neck. It does not show a dark cap. Could this be a large Sharp-shinned? I am dealing with a confusing video of my own right now with a very similar looking bird. Thanks, Todd

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're right. I realized the same thing when I later made a movie comparing Sharpies and Cooper's Hawks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@morrigandeathambassador]

There has been one by my house. They have such a unique call. I've been trying like crazy to figure out who they are. I love him!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I can understand your admiration for him. Those Hawks are noble and a bit sinister. By the way, are you sure that it’s a Cooper’s? They can be difficult to distinguish from sharp, shinned hawks. I have a movie, explaining how to tell them apart.

[@christopher9833]

Great video and thank you! I have a recurring visitor to my back yard. took me a couple views to determine correctly which it was. it is definitely an immature, and your observation about their seeming inability to grow old made me sad. I don't know whether it's here for my sparrows, my starlings, my doves, squirrels or what hahaha. I subscribed this time. Your videos are great.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad to hear you subscribed, Chris, and I'll try not to disappoint you. I publish every other Tuesday morning--and I hope you clicked the bell to be notified. I understand your sadness that these birds don't live to maturity all that often. Have you seen my other film comparing the Cooper's to Sharp-shinned? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@christopher9833]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I just found that video this morning. once I'm finished shoveling I will give it a watch! wanted to tell you, that Cooper's tried to snatch a dove four feet from me this morning! I got to see the complete miss first hand. it was amazing. thought of you right away. well, after I yelled at the hawk not to eat my doves. haha

[@totalstranger9563]

Thank you. I viewed this video for research because I just photographed a Coopers Hawk in my backyard capturing a Blue Jay in flight. Yes I did feel a little bad for the Blue Jay.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

And I felt bad for the Mourning Dove I saw taken by a Cooper's. ... Nature's way, though, isn't it. Glad you found the movie useful.

[@Texasmilitarydepartmentvid9654]

I witnessed a Cooper's Hawk kill my naighbor across the streets White Tabby Cat Mittens in my backyard yesterday.

[@jbojm9]

Very interesting and informative.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. They're interesting predators. My husband saw one dive bomb from a high tree yesterday. He couldn't believe how fast it was!

[@datsuntoyy]

two days ago I found an adult Cooper's sitting in my back yard. My 9 year old daughter came running into the garage "Daddy, there's a big A$$ bird in the back yard". It just sat on the gound panting like a dog. I coaxed it onto my arm and carried it into the garage. I had it at a bird of prey rescue shelter 2 hours later. Don't know why it was just sitting there. Holding that hawk is one of the most special things I've ever done. I have always loved raptors. Got some great pictures and video.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a memorable tale! Not something you'll ever forget. I've known Cooper's and Sharpies to be fairly calm about human presence but not THAT tolerant. It must have been sick, and I'm glad you were there to help it.

[@datsuntoyy]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME it was. Just got word it has a broken clavicle. 3 weeks cage rest and pain meds. It was not feeling good. Still, I got a life long dream out of it, to hold a wild raptor.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@datsuntoyy Aww. Thanks for getting back to me about it. Good news all around, right? We’ll, the local Mourning Doves wouldn’t think so but otherwise…

[@Thx1138sober]

Saw one nab a morning dove from my neighbor's yard yesterday just before sunset.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Whenever I have seen that - only a couple of times - I didn’t know whether to be thrilled or horrified. Oh, and by the way, I put up a movie last winter about Mourning Dove attempts to evade that fate. If you type mourning dove Alwood into the YT search box , it will pop up.

[@nazfan01]

I live in the countr a little bit north of Dayton Ohio. There is always a family and nests of Cooper Hawks on my property. (Partially wooded with a running creek and a pond) Today (15 Sept 2021) one of the hawks has just been sitting on a branch of a large tree, actually this hawk has been sitting on the same branch for quite a few days now. The tree sits over the creek and pond. He just sits there and scans the area. So my wife walked over to the hawk to take some photos and a video. Hawk did not seem to mind and did not even fly away. The hawk actually looked down at my wife and just sat there minding his own business. My wife got some pretty nice photos and a good video of this hawk. Reason I came here was trying to determine if it was a male or female. The chest seemed to be pretty much white.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Size would be the only way to determine the sex of the hawk, and you almost have to have male and female right next to each other for that factor to be of any use. So I can't help you there, but you might want to make sure that the bird actually is a Cooper's. It might be a Sharp-shinned Hawk instead. This video will explain the difference between them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs

[@nazfan01]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - Thanks. I kind of figurd that out. I just like watching these hawks around my property. I have a little bit of everything here. Pheasants, red fox, Gray, black and white squurrels and flying squurrels. Snapping turtles, bull frogs, raccoons, beavers, ground hogs, deers, so much here... but of course many many types of birds here. Just love watching them all

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@nazfan01 Sounds wonderful. Enjoy.

[@theoldestfan]

Thanks to your video on the difference between a Cooper and a Sharpie I can say our visitor is definitely a Cooper hawk, Our bird feeder is being closely watched by him, sometimes he makes his presence known im sure it's not intended, but every bird and squirrel absolutely freezes the yard by the feeder looks like a snapshot in time, we couldn't believe our eyes it lasted about ten minutes, last week he caught a Morning Dove right in front of the kitchen window, I had to waite until he took off with the carcass so I could shop vac the area of his feast so our little dog wouldn't eat any remains , our area is loaded with red tails , were about 25 miles west of Chicago , tons of competion among predators, thanks for the information very helpful..........

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

That was all interesting, James. Thanks for taking the time to tell me about it--especially the way all the creatures froze, looking "like a snapshot in time". Knowing that the movie enabled you to definitely identify your ferocious feeder predator makes me glow.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh, by the way, what field marks were key to your ID?

[@theoldestfan]

I was cleaning Ice out of the driveway a few days prior to feeder incident and I kept hearing a bird call that I never heard before, I turned and walked towards it and surprisingly less than 20feet above and in front of me in a river birch was this Cooper Hawk, I couldn't miss three to four horizontal black bars on a relatively narrow lighter grey tail, he or she was aware of my presence, it continued to call on and off for over twenty minutes, a day or two later it was in some Norway pines sitting just watching the feeder in plane view in the west end of the property, couldn't miss that almost pink (or tan) chest feathers, about a day later when it attacked a morning dove it was less six feet away from our kitchen window, our area is very well covered by red tail hawks ,I'm surprised to see the Cooper hawk so visibly active. Our area is close to Argonne national laboratories in northern Illinois.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's not so surprising to get Cooper's Hawks and Red-tails in the same neighborhood. They're usually after different prey, The Red-tails want small mammals; the Cooper's go more for large birds, like the Mourning Dove. As for it letting you get close, we had a similar experience. One was outside the living room window, only 12-15 feet away on a retaining wall, and I filmed him for half an hour. Then my husband went out to clean the leaves off the patio. Only when he got less than ten feet away did the hawk jump up into a nearby tree. It took a leaf blower to get him to leave. I wish they were always so cooperative.

[@bnose202]

My nemesis!!! You shall not get one of my chickens!!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What?! You begrudge that poor, hungry Cooper's hawk a meal? Tsk, tsk, tsk. 😉

[@bnose202]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ...lol....he or she (cooper's hawk) tries but the blue jays warn of its approach and my rooster has fought him off once that I have witnessed. I think the hawk just tries for easier prey now that doesn't fight back as hard. My neighbor has small bantam chickens which he has lost several to hawks, but my chickens are all large varieties :)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Interesting! I wouldn't have thought a rooster might fight a Cooper's Hawk off. Thanks for telling me about that. As for the Bluejays, some people hate them for being raucous. That's just silly. They are the early warning system for all the local birds, and they mob hawks and owls.

[@bnose202]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ......i was so stunned and proud when I seen my rooster protect his girls that day. The hawk swooped down, missed the one smaller hen (Americana variety), but stood there on the ground for a second as the rest of the chickens scattered. The rooster (9 month old 10# black jersey giant) then ran over before the hawk could collect himself fully and gave it a head full of rooster spurs (his spurs are not even that developed yet either) The hawk did a small roll/tussel then flew over to my wash line post to collect himself. I was amazed and laughing at the same time :)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@bnose202 That is a cool story. Thanks for telling me about it.

[@maryamfrogh6556]

I have one them but I don't know how to train it?😐😑😔😔😔

[@lonnieclemens8028]

This is an interesting video on the Cooper's Hawk. I was curious to know what may cause such a short lifespan.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you found it fun--and educational, Lonnie. I've been trying to get one crisp clip of a Cooper's--or a Sharp-shinned--swoping in and catching prey. So far no luck. But I don't feel inept because I've looked on KZbin and don't see that anybody else has managed it either.

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

I have a nest of Coopers in my tree. They do not get along with the Red tails at all. They are really cool birds

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Do the Cooper's keep other birds away from your property?

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME not that I’ve noticed

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@Darth-Nihilus1 So you get to see all the usual birds and maybe some Cooper's Hawk young? I'm jealous!

[@riothero313]

I have one nails birds off of my neighbor's feeder all the time. One day out of the corner of my eye I just saw a huge puff of feathers in the air and I knew exactly what happened. I also found a bird that got a way but all of it's guts where on the outside of it's body, it was gross.

[@ShonnMorris]

Great video. One thing I'd add is that Cooper's do have predators. Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, Peregrines, and even Great Black-Backed Gulls have been known to kill them.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

As for them having predators: noted. I accept that you know more about this than I do. I do still say, though, that they are their own worst enemies.

[@ShonnMorris]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I do agree with that too though. They get themselves into some real trouble sometimes LOL

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@ShonnMorris One of them hurtled into a window and flew away, so I'd say you're right.

[@MicheleMellema]

Can these be more of a gray color with a white underside and a small amount of orange barring? (granted it's MI, and still spring, so we still get random snow, maybe that will darken over the summer?) Every photo I see seems to be more brown than this gray and a lot more barring than what I see on this bird. Yesterday am we found a pile of feathers and a couple pieces of bone/?feet (didn't look close enough) on the ground, thought a cat was lucky and took the rest somewhere. Then at dinner caught a gray bird that I am narrowing down slowly, but I can't find any photos with the right coloring, going for the sparrows that live in a protected area on the house, but where they can't get into the attic. 3rd try it got one and took it into a pine tree nearby. We got a few photos, although a little blurry like the focus was on glass rather than outside. So I think I'm looking for something in this family that is willing to eat in a tree or on the ground. Any thoughts?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It was probably either a Cooper's or a Sharp-shinned Hawk.This movie will show you the difference, as well as teach you more about what the Cooper's looks like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrQlYuNhN-hiKs. The orange with barring tells me it's one of those two. And besides, other hawks don't usually go after birds. Peregrines will, but they're falcons. As for the gray/brown issue, color can just be so changeable and deceptive depending on the light. It's often a misleading way to try to ID a bird. My advice is to click on the link I gave you and then decide whether you had a Cooper's or a Sharpie.

[@Woodsyone]

There aren't many small/medium Hawks to pick from. It's fairly safe to assume it's a Cooper's or sharpy if it's hunting birds from cover. Kestrel is too small to be mistaken, same for Merlin. Red shoulder hawk is too big, goshhawk has similar coloring but is much bigger, nearly the size of a red tail.

[@mgrizz1123]

Lovely video!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I’m glad to hear you liked it. They’re impressive birds, that’s for sure.

[@fordhamdonnington2738]

I’m in town but I have a creek in the back with lots of tall trees . All kinds of birds but I’ve only seen one predator one time high up in the air in summer. Several other smaller birds were harassing it I imagine to scare it away. I wonder if this area would attract these hawks as it’s in town.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Sure it would. We have a similar situation here. We are in the suburbs with a stretch of woods behind us that has a creek running through it. We get Cooper’s hawks and sharp shinned hawks all the time!

[@fordhamdonnington2738]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME How would I go about spotting one as I haven’t seen any predators besides a blue jay ?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@fordhamdonnington2738 They hang around our house because we feed the birds and have a lot of birds in our yard. We will see them every once in a while sitting in a tree waiting to attack. I don’t know what to tell you about how to spot them except to keep an eye out. And I don’t know how much they visit your yard because I don’t know how many birds are there to tempt them. And even if I say good luck, such luck would bring with it the likelihood of an attack and seeing a Mourning Dove carried off to be strangled - a mixed blessing for you. But good luck anyway.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@fordhamdonnington2738 We have a similar situation: suburban garden with woods and a creek behind it. The hawks visit regularly because we feed birds and have a lot of them. Sometimes we'll become aware of one because it's being mobbed by jays, but more often we happen to spot him in a tree waiting for a chance to attack. It's partly luck and partly looking out the window a lot. Every once in awhile we'll hear a thump or two of them on a window. If it's loud enough, we figure a hawk has hit or else has driven a Mourning Dove into the window. If we rush to look, we get a chance, rarely, to see him carry prey away. But he has to be secretive; on account of that, he's tricky to spot. Good luck--as long as it doesn't bother you to see him carry a dove off.

[@fordhamdonnington2738]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ok thanks. I would put bird feeders but the squirrels get to them , and also there are a pair of raccoons that take anything edible at night lol.

[@williamjaeger5940]

Great Video!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks, William. And in case it interests you, I also did one on how to tell a Cooper's from a Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

My bird feeders attract a pair of Coopers that breed every year in my neighborhoodThey love long periods in my bird bath too. The female is almost twice the size of the mail.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

So do you consider yourself fortunate? I mean, the Cooper's is such an impreessive bird--but it kills the birds you love to watch.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Yes I do consider myself fortunate. I have a front row seat sitting at my desk where I am less than 20 ft from my bird bath. I have taken some amazing pictures with a telephoto lens through my window. Let me know if you want me to send you some pics. The Coopers prey on the doves eating the spilled seed on the ground. The hawks come in real low from around the side of my house to not be seen and during the summer I find feathers almost every week. I have also seen them catching rats too. I feel bad for the doves but its the balance of nature. We are carnivores too for the most part.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@JohnDoe-xu2vx We've got two manmade streams in our yard, but neither one of us has seen the Cooper's bathing there. You're one up on us in that regard. Last week I got a shot of one going unsuccessfully after a flock of sparrows on the ground. I had set the camcorder running on that spot because I could see where the hawk was perched and knew he was likely to attack there. Since I've done a movie about this species and another one comparing him to the Sharp-shinned, I don't foresee an occasion when I might use any of your photos, but thanks for offering. Well, unless you have a great shot of him catching prey or devouring it. That kind of shot might come in handy since I often talk about other bird species trying to avoid falling into his grasp.

[@philipveerman7526]

Actually, markings across the body (as in horizontal) are called bars or bands or a barred pattern. Markings that are along the axis of the body are called streaks or stripes. Thus the point is that juvenile CH are striped below and adults are barred. Many raptor species show that pattern. That is the way these words are used in bird names in Australia and I think most of the world. I have never been to America.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You are right, of course. And I learned that a few months after I posted this movie when I did one explaining the differences between Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Even though I did already know what you explained, I appreciate your intention to set the record straight.

[@gregmcb5305]

I wonder if there aren’t any older ones because of lead shot

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

For all I know, Greg, that might be true in some locales, but here in the suburbs I would doubt it. Their dangerous lifestyle seems like a more likely bet.

[@Forgotten_Moon]

OMG... you are so right! I met a cooper hawk juvenile in recent days bc I always spread some bird seeds on my balcony. After it shows up, the seeds are always left overnight and the mourning doves never come to a visit anymore(crying

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You have my sympathy. But, of course, the hawks are part of the ecosystem ... and they gotta eat too.

[@Forgotten_Moon]

​@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Yeah, you are right. I think it starts its journey toward the south again... it has disappeared two days. And I find the doves and sparrows are more comfortable to visit my balcony. The feeling is mixed. I guess I'll miss it a while.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@Forgotten_Moon Whether you miss the hawk or don't miss it, I'm guessing he really doesn't care. He just wants you to keep providing seed and luring prey into the open where he can catch it. Nature is so bloody.

[@nonai7897]

Very cool video!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

By the way, I later on did a movie explaining how to tell the difference between Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, in case that topic interests you.

[@nonai7897]

Yes, it was informative, well narrated and great shots. I'd love to check out your movie

[@zalllon]

Had one of these crash into the house this weekend. Thought for sure the wind blew a door shut upstairs. Only happened to see it after reviewing the security camera footage. Really surprised it flew off after about 5 mins, as I thought for sure it would eventually die from its injuries.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Fascinating incident. Thanks for reporting it.

[@robertmillen2967]

Great video

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks. I also have one about how to tell the difference between a Cooper's and a Sharp-shinned that might interest you.

[@angellaster4796]

Can’t believe I saw one of these in Lake Worth Fl

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Why would that be surprising?

[@TheaterElf42]

there is a cooper's hawk that keeps coming after my chickens, unfortunately we have a lot of tree cover in our yard so they hide well. But we also have places for the chickens to hide.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You get to watch nature red in tooth and claw.

[@angelmartin7310]

We have one who is so comfortable with humans I would have to hurt her to scare her away. She even chirps at us when we say things to her like "excuse me, who do you think you are?" LOL. But we have beloved pet chickens so it isn't funny. We have soo many sparrows that keep her busy, that my chickens barely fear her because by the time I noticed her they were apparently very used to her diving down to get sparrows. Still, I know she would gladly take one of them, so I netted over the entire chicken yard (15 ft x 30 ft) and I hope to God that does the trick. I have a feeling these hawks will dare even the smallest of gaps, and I am working on eliminating them all which is hard because I had to net around some trees. Today she was hunting on the ground a few feet from my daughter, just right at home. It's crazy.

[@octapusxft]

Well the bird feeders can help the prey birds multiply which also helps the hawks etc which means one is indirectly feeding the local raptors as well. A win win.

[@kiloton1920]

Just had one buzz my head when I was smoking a a joint in my backyard near the bird feeder around dusk? Maybe he was defending his hunting territory?

[@gpsloft5868]

Great video!! I now have a new perspective 😊

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

How did the video change your perspective?

[@gpsloft5868]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I know more about Cooper’s hawks now compare to before. For instance, you mentioned something about how challenging it is for them to hunt and that sometimes it can cost them their lives. I thought that was very interesting to me. Thank you!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@gpsloft5868 Finding out that almost a fourth of them have fractures in their breastbones amazed me. It's funny how I find myself admiring raptors ... but rooting for their prey to escape.

[@gpsloft5868]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME We might be in the same boat... Cooper’s hawks have take a lot of my young birds so this video makes me not want to hate hawks whenever they catch my birds 🙂

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@gpsloft5868 Yes, we both have the same attitude about them catching prey.

[@jerrybear3081]

It takes many bags of birdseed before you start getting hawks at the your feeder... sad for the little birds but pretty impressive to watch.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Agreed, Jerry, on all points.

[@mamaboocee]

Thanks for your videos on hawks! I had my first experience with a coop in my yard - and he did me a favor by going after the sick finches. There was no way I could help the finches or even stop the spread of the air sac mites and possible conjunctivitis that finches get. Finch after finch disappeared till I finally saw a mid flight catch by the coop. It was amazing. All this time I was finding far too many feathers in the yard to be explained by the end of summer molt. So - after feeding all the songbirds, finches and woodpeckers all summer, I inevitably am feeding the hawk, too! I do feel bad for the ones that get caught, but really, that is nature. For years we had zero house finches and purple finches due to the diseases and parasites. This was the first summer I saw them here in central NJ when they were supposed to be obvious and abundant years before. I suspect they are back because the hawks really do watch and zero in on the sick lethargic ones. Luckily I was prepared with a camera and was able to film him enjoying his dinner. That made the I.D. easier, along with your thorough little documentaries! Amazing how it all works out. As always, great narration!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a story! Thanks for telling me about it.

[@JesseDavis7373]

The one in my neighborhood the other day wasn't very shy at all, and it let me video and snap a few photos before flying off. And astute observer on FB let me know it was a Cooper's hawk. I thought maybe it was a juvenile bald eagle.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I’ve had the same experience with tolerant Cooper’s Hawks. Most times they fly off, but you never know!

[@justinneal1817]

I love them, I almost caught one on video hunting a squirrel today but I spooked him on accident. I rescued an injured one as well. Love them

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Justin Neal I wish you had succeeded. That would have been a coup!

[@TheAdventureAuto]

I found my way here after seeing a hawk fly through a tree in my front yard and grab a bird. I thought that my eyes had deceived me. For some reason I always thought Hawks ate small mammals.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

A lot of hawks, like Red-tailed and Broad-shouldered do eat almost exclusively small mammals. But the Cooper's and Sharpies go mostly for birds.

[@MrBcooper32]

The Cooper’s hawk reminds me of our sparrowhawks in the UK 🇬🇧

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm sure they're related. In fact, ours used to be called Sparrow Hawk. They're not exactly the same, though, because they have different Latin names.

[@adznz11]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME they are so similar they are effectivly the same. The coopers hawk is effectivly the north American sparrow hawk. And if an oncologist was first to name them id expect thats exactly what they would have been called. OP was very astute in spoting this.

[@kevinparker461]

Saw a home bred Coopers flown in the UK. Seemed more like a small Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) rather than a large Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) but like all Accipiters, an exciting bird. In its first year didn't seem to have the hair trigger of the 'Spar'.

[@philippinespaulregbruceukl7802]

Lovely

[@loganross4774]

He was so impressive. I had to figure out what he was not an owl. My dad said it was probably a Peregrine (sp?) falcon. But the cream and brown marks underneath were what helped me identify him correctly on the Internet. It felt special to have seen it here in North York Toronto.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Now that you know about them, I hope you get to see more .

[@disissparta614]

I work outdoors, and there’s a Cooper’s hawk that lives in the surrounding woods near my job site. We’ve seen it carrying several birds back to its nest to eat! The hawk will regularly harass a family of crows who also live nearby. The crows usually team up and drive the hawk away after a few minutes it’s really interesting to watch. It’s a beautiful looking bird when you see one in person.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I wish more people had a chance to observe the action you've seen. Birds are busy, fascinating creatures.