The "Hawk Thing"

We have watched this "hawk thing" all summer long. We've seen it perched high in various trees on our block, seen it swoop to catch a bird mid flight, seen it squeeze the living daylights out of a small bird, seen it squeeze a small critter on our next door neighbors grass, and seen small bird feathers in a circle on our grass several mornings. I even had a carcass in my perennial garden. It must have been saved for later because it was gone the next day. It swooped low just above us one day in the driveway, it flew to our tree above us, and then to the wires over our side/back yard to squeeze his meal - a lunchtime favorite spot! I have heard the squeel of death all summer long - practically all day every day! Our neighbors claim there are 3; and we have seen 2 at one time. Simon has learned that big birds eat little birds. He also knows the hawk sound from inside the house. We now believe him when he says he saw or heard the "hawk thing".

So today we took "the hawk thing's" feathers (we had 2) and this close up picture and went to the Willowbrook Wildlife Nature Preserve. We asked what it could be and was told it is a Cooper's Hawk. It has not been in our area for a few years and is now making a comeback. They eat small birds and make stick nests. Sometimes not so sturdy and baby Cooper's Hawks can fall through the nest. We are not exactly sure where the nest is located.

This bird sure has entertained us this summer. Large birds have a regal characteristic to them!