Hawk having lunch in the backyard.

[Rob'in'To]

This Hawk caught himself a Pigeon out in my vegetable garden this afternoon.  One of the shots I posted in the ID area since I have a few posted from the last week and seeking ID.  Experts say "Sharp Shin".

[JW Mills]

Wow!
This puts a whole new spin on Backyard Bird Feeding!

[lovetobird]

Wow!
This puts a whole new spin on Backyard Bird Feeding!

Lol

Nice catch, I'd go with Cooper's based on the thick white band on the end of the tails feathers, also the tips of the tail feathers are rounded which is another good ID point for Cooper's.

[thouc]

A pigeon also seems to be a bit too big of a catch for a Sharp-shinned.

[Bluffs Birder]

On average a Pigeon is 12.5 inches in length, a Sharpie is a little smaller at 11 inches and a Coop is 16.5 inches.  Your bird is much larger than the pigeon, it's a Cooper's Hawk for sure.

Walter

[Rob'in'To]

Cool guys!  Thanks!

I am not very good at the Hawk IDs as I have mentioned.  Plus, I get a little caught up in the moment when they hit the yard.

Normally when I see one take out a Sparrow or Starling, I go with Sharp Shin.  Then, when a Pigeon gets it, I figure it's a Coopers.

This Coopers (assuming it's the same one) got another Pigeon this afternoon down by my shed.  He can feast on Pigeons here all winter if he likes!

LOL at John's comment.   :lol:

[Rob'in'To]

So, the Coopers is in my backyard right now (hiding in the cedars but I can see him).  Definitely a Coopers because he's just freakin' huge!  Funny though, the Chickadees and Goldfinches are still doing their thing.  I guess they aren't much of a meal to a Coopers?

I see the Pigeons over on a neighbour's old tv tower.  I recon he's waiting for them to come in for a bit of lunch.

Question is...  do you think the Coopers would take out a Squirrel?  There's 3 of them running around the ground here.

[Rob'in'To]

Coopers just got his third Pigeon in the past 6 days.  He's tearing it apart in the yard next door.  I bet my neighbours will be impressed.  It looks like someone broke a pillow outside, feathers everywhere!

There's 30 Goldfinches buzzing around my 4 nyjer feeders right now too, 2 House Finches, 1 Cardinal, couple Chickadees and a Blue Jay.  I guess they know they are safe.  One of the Squirrels is rather curious about what the Hawk is up to.  He goes within about ten feet of it, looking at him and then dashes off, only to return again moments later.  I wonder what goes on those little heads of the critters at times.

[JW Mills]

Question is...  do you think the Coopers would take out a Squirrel?

Yes it would, according to Cornell Lab.

[Rob'in'To]

Well, I guess my little furry dumb-dumbs better be careful.  That Hawk sat in the cedars for over two hours and more than a few Squirrels were running about, doing their thing in the yard...  but the Hawk sat and waited ever so patiently for those Pigeons.  Three flew in.  Then four.  Then five.  Then seven.  Of course, I get busy around the house and miss the catch.

[Rob'in'To]

Okay, definitely another Hawk in the yard this morning.  He's smaller, the head is much darker brown and he's chasing all the little guys...  Goldfinches, Sparrows, House Finches and Blue Jays.

The Pigeon eating Coopers didn't bother with the little ones and they seemed to know it as they went about their feeding.

[Rob'in'To]

Boxing Day, and this guy, who is smaller than the Pigeon eater photo'd above, was in and out of the backyard all day.  I saw him first around 8am and at least 5 times before sunset.  He dive bombed the nyjer feeders but I never saw him catch anything.