THE NATURAL WORLD OF SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND THROUGH THE LENS OF CAPTAIN YVES- PART 29

They were named in 1828 by Charles Bonaparte, a French naturalist in honor of his friend and fellow ornithologist William Cooper.

Cooper’s Hawks can be found from Canada all the way down to the North part of Mexico.

This bird of prey is up there with the worlds most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds.

Cooper’s Hawks eat mostly medium sized birds such as, doves, pigeons, american robins, pheasants and chickens. They have also been seen to snatch up hares, mice, squirrels and bats. Mammals are a more common occurrence in the western population of Coopers Hawks.

Courtship displays are very formal with these birds.. they start by flying with slow wing beats, gliding with their wings held in a V shape. Males make a bowing display to females once they have been deemed worthy after pairing and before beginning to build the nest.

Males must be careful though as they are smaller than females and just the right size for the females to prey on!