The slim, rounded tail and the male's dark skull cap help to distinguish it from other Imperial Valley raptors like the similar, but smaller, Sharp-Shinned Hawk.
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Although we lack the conifer and
decidious forests that this hawk prefers, some of them are attracted by
our warm winters and wide variety of prey that can be found along our rivers
and marshes - where it waits in ambush.
The slim, rounded tail and the male's dark skull cap help to distinguish it from other Imperial Valley raptors like the similar, but smaller, Sharp-Shinned Hawk. |
If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Cooper's Hawk
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
Raptor Facts - Fact sheet on the Cooper's Hawk displayed by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine's "The Raptor Center" Web site.
Cooper's Hawk Field Guide - From the "Illinois Raptor Center" Web site.
The following "WAV" format sound file is copyrighted by Doug Von Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of "The Sounds of Nature" Web site at www.naturesongs.com:
- http://naturesongs.com/coha2.wav - Cooper's Call
This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us