COOPER's HAWK on the HUNT...

 “The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”
― J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird

 Cooper's Hawk hunting again in the back yard. Swoosh.

 Likes the perch near the fence.

 Turns its head all around. Listening. Watching.

 Eventually  skims over the ground to snare its prey. Suddenly. Quietly.

 Cooper's hawk is a small hawk. About the size of a raven. It only weighs about 1 pound.The male is smaller than the female. He weighs  about 25 oz. with a wingspan up to 37 inches.

 Tends to only catch creatures under a pound: Birds of different sizes, chipmunks, small squirrels, mice, bats, reptile, bugs.

 Contrary to popular belief it does NOT go after cats .  The bigger raptors like Red tailed hawks, eagles, Owls, will  definitely  go after pets. But the Cooper's hawk is more the size of a large chicken, with a long tail.

That being said, it has been noted that one of these hawks may attack and eat a larger mammal on the ground., if they are desperate. Just depends. I have never seen one of them go after the neighbourhood cats. I think it would be wise to supervise pets if you can. 

 When nesting, the Cooper's Hawk will bring  food to its mate, for at least a month before she lays eggs, about 50 feet above ground.

 The young hawks will leave the next after 4 weeks.

 Their call sounds like :  "kak-kak-kak"

 One of these hawks can eat up to 12% of its body weight....kind of like a 120 pound person eating up to five pizzas in one day.

And they can fly up to 88km kmh. Their wings are silent. Soft and  there is no sound to hear.

This one sat on his perch and the fence for quite a time.

It was hunting doves that were hiding on the other side of the fence.

At one point it looked over the fence to have a look. and then it was all over and the hawk  swished away  silently on the wind.....

 Photographs 2020