Hawks.
Photography, art, stories and information about hawks and birds of prey in urban southern United States.

Coopers Hawk looking off to the size. Close up shot by Rybird

Hawt Hawk!. Hawk on fire abstract bird art by Rybird

I am the Hawk  Rybird 2016

Alone and hungry
yet free to fly
without a friend
I take to the sky

eyes gazing fields
for those weak
they run and hide
from bushes they peak.

Hearing the rustles
of frightened wings
no bird in sight
even thinks to sing
I am the hawk
sharp shinned and fast
They all cower
when I fly past.
I am the hawk
soaring high and free
the wind is my friend
and for miles I can see
I am the hawk
Rybird 2015

---

Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to North America. It is a member of the goshawk genus Accipiter.At one time, Cooper's Hawks were heavily hunted in persecution for preying on poultry and were called "chicken hawks". They were once thought to be adverse to cities and towns, but are now fairly common urban and suburban birds. The cities provide plenty of rock pigeon and mourning dove for the Cooper's hawk to prey on. These birds capture prey from cover or while flying quickly through dense vegetation, relying almost totally on surprise. They will hunt songbirds at backyard feeders, perching nearby then swooping down and scattering the birds to single one out in flight. They may pursue prey on the ground by half running and half flying. Cooper's hawks have been known to live as long as 12 years in the wild. Condensed from Wiki

Below: Sharpie the Sharp Shinned Hawk - Photographic art of a Sharp-shinned hawk by Rybird
These birds surprise and capture most of their prey from cover or while flying quickly through dense vegetation. They are adept at navigating dense thickets, although this hunting method is often hazardous to the hawk. The great majority of this hawk's prey are small birds, especially various songbirds such as sparrows, wood-warblers, finches, wrens, nuthatches, tits, icterids and thrushes. Birds caught range in size from a 4.4 g (0.16 oz) Anna's hummingbird to a 577 g (1.272 lb) ruffed grouse and virtually any bird within this size range is potential prey. Typically, males will target smaller birds, such as sparrows and wood-warblers, and females will pursue larger prey, such as American robins and flickers, leading to a lack of conflict between the sexes for prey. These hawks often exploit backyard bird feeders in order to target congregations of ideal prey. They often pluck the feathers off their prey on a post or other perch. Rarely, sharp-shinned hawks will also eat rodents, lizards, frogs, snakes, and large insects, the latter typically being dragonflies captured on the wing during the hawk's migration. Wiki

Sharpie the Sharp Shinned Hawk - Photographic art of a Sharp-shinned hawk by Rybird

Below: Even more abstract version of photographic art of  a Sharpie Shinned Hawk. Called Stormy Hawk

---

abstract version of photographic art of a Sharpie Shinned Hawk. Called Stormy Hawk

Coopers Hawk calling it's mate

At one time, Cooper's Hawks were heavily hunted in persecution for preying on poultry and were called "chicken hawks". They were once thought to be adverse to cities and towns, but are now fairly common urban and suburban birds. The cities provide plenty of rock pigeon and mourning dove for the Cooper's hawk to prey on. These birds capture prey from cover or while flying quickly through dense vegetation, relying almost totally on surprise. They will hunt songbirds at backyard feeders, perching nearby then swooping down and scattering the birds to single one out in flight. They may pursue prey on the ground by half running and half flying. Cooper's hawks have been known to live as long as 12 years in the wild.

Sunset Patrol. Coopers hawk widescreen desktop background.