Cooper's Hawk

by Cindy
(So. Calif. Desert mtns.)

This is the first year.. I have ever tried to put seed out for birds. I quickly learned that it might not be such a good idea.

While I was thoroughly enjoying the many different birds that came, it was soon obvious.. that I was providing predators an easier opportunity to catch their prey.

One of which is the Cooper's Hawk that preys on small birds, rabbits, rodents.. etc.

Before I knew it.. there were more Coyotes in the area.

We witnessed the Hawk trying to get the birds, the Coyotes trying to get the Hawks.. etc. etc. and then low and behold.. Cougar tracks.

Definitely time to stop feeding the birds, and just stick with the nectar feeders!!

I was able to capture pictures of over 47 different bird species.. and identify them, over just this summer.

Some native to this area, and some migratory. Its been such an exciting experience.

I guess I'll just have to go out looking for THEM instead of making them all like sitting ducks. Its a lot safer for everyone all around.

So sad to give up such an awesome "home" hobby.. but it quickly became the little Oasis.. or pit stop for just about everything out here!

I was blessed with the experience though.
Cindy

Eagles in BC Canada

We get many eagles here in BC They are in abundance when the salmon come up the river to spawn.

It's fascinating to watch so many of them.

Unfortunately the salmon stocks were not very high last year & every year we see less & less of the eagles feeding.

It's wonderful to see them flying around all year though.

Northern Harrier Calling Mate

by Marybeth
(Gaithersburg, Maryland)

This young female Northern Harrier has been visiting the red maple in our backyard over the last few weeks.

Early in the morning, she can be heard calling her mate, who responds from a short distance away. We have yet to see him, however.

Two summers ago a breeding pair of Northern Harriers raised young in the large pine trees near our backyard and it is quite possible this female is either part of this pair or one of the offspring.

We have seen the male at other times of the year but not yet this winter.

Juvenile Hawk

by Ria
(Tamarac, FL, USA)

I am trying to identify this hawk that I saw in the parking lot at my office in Tamarac, South Florida.

We are very close to the edge of the Everglades in western Broward county. The parking lot has many bushes and small trees and the local birds are mockingbirds, mourning doves, grackles, blue jays, and the occasional green parrots.

A couple of local wildlife experts differed in opinion - either a juvenile broadwing or juvenile Cooper's hawk.

The hawk was in a small tree and the mockingbirds were having a fit. They were squawking and chasing and dive bombing the hawk. But I followed the commotion and got these pics of the hawk on a branch.

He was much larger than the smaller birds but not as large as some of the hawks I have seen in other neighborhoods.

He had grayish coloring with a light gray breast with darker spots or streaks. He had big yellow eyes and a hooked gray beak.

His legs were long and bare, which made me think he was young. Most pictures I have seen of mature adults had feathers growing down their legs.

If anyone thinks it will help, I have two other pictures with a close up of his head and a better view of his breast.

Home Owner

by Alan Livingston
(Dothan, Alabama)

We have a pair of hawks living in the woods near our home. We have not been able to identify the birds, but they are beautiful creatures. Can someone help identify this bird?