Looking out the window just now in response to scream calls out in the yard, I was treated to the stirring sight of a Cooper's Hawk on the ground, wings and tail spread to make a sort of cage, and with a bird in its talons. The screaming lasted less than a minute, and then the immature Coop was able to relax a bit, and soon folded its wings. It continued plucking breast feathers from the prey item for two or three minutes more, then it flew off with the kill, which I saw was a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I'm sorry for the woodpecker, but happy to see that this Cooper's Hawk will not be starving, as I imagine many of the youngsters do.
Feeders are deserted now! I wonder how long this will last? -Geo -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
