Late-winter Visitor
There was a persistent kik-kik-kik sound in the backyard Sunday. I ignored it for a while, but it got increasingly loud. Turns out, it was a cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), sitting within the bare, criss-crossed branches of a large Japanese maple.
Cooper hawks have a fierce, intent look in their eyes — all the better to watch the small birds and mammals they prey on. This young hawk was probably eyeing chipmunks: they’re always scurrying around, looking out for seeds that fall from the feeder attached to the eaves of the house. Since I had just tossed out several cupfuls of safflower seeds, they were probably intercepting those too. Squirrels don’t usually like safflower; chipmunks don’t care if it’s that or the most prime selection of black oil sunflower. If it’s edible, they go for it.
This is the first cooper’s hawk I’ve seen on our property — at least upclose. They’re probably regular visitors, but either blend into the background or stay too high in the treetops for us to see or identify.
Immature cooper hawks (like this one) have yellow eyes and white chests with thin, brown streaks. Their backs are usually dark with white markings. They nest near the edge of deciduous or mixed woods like ours. Coopers are fairly common in Tennessee, more so during the months of September and October.
I hope this hawk comes back. I want to learn its call so, next time, I’ll recognize it right away.
Note: Wish I could have gotten a better shot of the Cooper’s Hawk, but it was taken from a window and without appropriate camera lens.
We have hawk nest in our woods at time. They hunt at our feeders often and their best luck seems to be with Doves when they are under the feeders. We have plenty of protection for the feeding birds but the hawks get through at times. Sigh but such is life in the wild…
I know what you mean Skeeter. I understand that everything has to eat … but I don’t want to see it! It’s hard not to feel protective of the smaller birds. You probably can’t watch those nature programs where the lions are chasing/devouring antelope either.
Pretty good picture. I had never seen one of these on my property either until coming home yesterday it swooped right in front of my car into a road hedge and I was in awe. I think it must’ve been immature like yours. I can just make out the markings on it. Looks like lots of variation. Thanks for the description.
Tina, I wish I could’ve gotten a better shot. Taking it through a window and through tree branches with just a regular lens was a challenge. Glad you spotted one of the hawks over your way.
I think finding hawks in your garden a great study in nature– very interesting. Good capture with your photo.
Thanks, Janet.