iPhone Category: Birds of Prey - Hawks, Eagles and Owls

Cooper’s Hawks are hawks of the forest and are extremely agile predators.  They are members of the genus Accipiter, sharing that genus with two other hawks  -- Northern Goshawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Nests of Cooper’s Hawks will often be found in pine trees.  Built of sticks mainly by the male, they are a bit over two feet across with a depression in the middle for up to six eggs and chicks, and often lined with bark. Now of low concern, this is a big change from 50+ years ago when their population, like that of many other raptors, was hit very hard by hunting and the use of DDT. Homeowners with bird feeders may notice their feeders  become a birdy buffet for the birds that like to eat feeder birds. Cooper’s Hawks have learned to hang out near bird feeders and pick off the birds that show up to dine. It is important to place bird feeders near cover, such as a bush or hedge, so that the birds at your feeder have a place to escape and hide from this quick and agile predator.

Northern Harriers are like a cross between a hawk and an owl; they normally hunt during the day, but have the round facial disc of an owl. This not only gives them the appearance of an owl, but also enables them to hunt by sound! This has given them their unique hunting style. Northern Harriers are often seen gliding low over a grassy field. All of the sudden you’ll see one drop down when it hears a prey item, such as a mouse, rustling in the grass. Harriers are also seen “stooping”, or diving straight down at prey like a falcon or buteo, or chasing down prey like an accipiter. Harriers really can do it all!  Keep an eye out for a low-flying hawk with a flat, round face. They also have a white rump patch and a deep “V” shape to their wings when gliding. Adult males are pale gray, earning them the additional nickname of “gray ghost”.