Cooper's Hawk in the Attack Position

When one sees a Cooper’s Hawk appear in your backyard,  it is reminiscent of the T.rex that are seen in all those dinosaur movies.  As you may know that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs.   In many important senses they may be dinosaurs.   Although when you see a flock  of gold finches descend on your seed filled finch feeder or a small delicate hummingbird taking nectar from a tubular bright colored flower in your garden,  it is difficult to think of them as a T. rex.  But when a Cooper’s Hawk arrives on the scene all “hell” breaks out.  All the small birds screech an alarm and seek cover immediately.  It is easier to get the bird-dinosaur connection.  Those  movies a that include the terror of the T. rex  appearing on the scene and every living being fleeing but usually seizes some creature not fast enough avoid being eaten by the monster.   The same with the Cooper’s hawk during their rapid descent in to your yard they may come up with  lunch.    One has two feelings,   one to see the marvel of the rapid explosion  obtaining a meal and secondly you may cheer for the little guys that save themselves by seeking cover.  This is high drama in the birding world. Written by Jack Kidd.

Adult Cooper's Hawk

The Cooper's Hawk