Cooper's Hawk
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Cooper's Hawks, migratory forest dwelling birds, live year round in many areas of the United States.
During spring and winter migrations they fly north to Canada to breed, and then fly south when the weather turns cold.
Part of the migratory behavior can be attributed to their food sources, primarily smaller birds, and some local rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks and mice.
It's not uncommon to see Cooper's Hawks hanging out at a forest edge, or even by the trees of residential bird feeding stations. They are looking for their next meal.
The top picture shows a Cooper's Hawk perched on a branch containing fruit. Rather than attempting to get a refreshing dose of Vitamin C, the hawk had quickly swooped in the area in search of the local birds consuming the fruit.
Those birds quickly fled, followed by the hawk.
They yellow eyes and streaking on the breast indicates a juvenile hawk. Adult eyes turn a rusty color, as do the streaks on the breast.
© 2007-2011 Patricia A. Michaels