Cooper's hawk

Cooper's hawks chase prey through trees and around buildings. They have adapted well to cities and suburbs, nesting in yard trees and hunting doves at feeders.

Cooper's hawks were heavily persecuted and poisoned by DDT, but have made a strong comeback and now thrive in towns. They are a natural check on dove and starling numbers in suburbs.

Nest — A platform of sticks high in a tree
Eggs — Usually three to five
Incubation — About 30 to 36 days
Chicks — Fed by both parents
Flight — At about four to five weeks
Lifespan — Wild birds over twelve years are recorded

• A hawk that takes a dove at a feeder is feeding itself or its young; feeders draw hawks as well as songbirds.
• Young hawks just out of the nest in summer make loud begging calls for weeks; they are not lost.
• Window decals prevent collisions for hawks chasing prey.

• "Chicken hawks" are a threat to pets. Cooper's hawks rarely take anything as large as a cat or small dog.
• A young hawk on a low branch has fallen out. Young hawks leave the nest before flying well and are fed by their parents nearby.

• Sharp-shinned hawk
• Red-shouldered hawk