Cooper’s Hawk
There’s always a predator among harmless creatures in their habitat and that’s how Nature has set the wilderness laws.
Today I’m posting a few words of information about the Cooper’s Hawk. First, I should say that this species of hawks are the most assiduous predators of small birds, rodents and snakes in Georgia.
Perhaps I should tell you a short story of how I became more interested in birds. I had recently moved to Georgia had to travel to other locations for business reasons. One day I was driving along a road when something moving from a high tree called my attention, it was a hawk, that later I learned it was a Cooper’s Hawk. It flew across the road, landed in a ditch at the side of the road and then flew off again, only this time it had a garden snake gripped in its talons. I was very impressed to have witnessed that scene.
From that moment on I kept my eyes alert to see any kind of birds flying around. Little by little I got more involved with birds, I think you know the rest of the story by now!
Click on the images to see enlargements
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101








I love Georgia! It is such a beautiful state and the people that I have met really have that southern charm about them and their lives. I visit there a least every two years to visit.
Birds are such fascinating creatures; even if they are predatory birds.
Thank you for your nice comments, your are welcome in Georgia anytime! 🙂
Great shots! I love Cooper’s Hawks. This bird is emblematic for you, then. Very cool.
Thank you Lisa! It’s very cool! 🙂
The Cooper’s is one of my favorite hawks. 🙂
It’s a gorgeous bird! Thank you Bob! 🙂
awesome to be able to ‘shoot’ a hawk!
Thanks Joanna! 🙂
I love the story of how you first became interested!
Thank you Julie! 🙂
The raptors are the ones who got me interested in birds too. We have tons of Red Tails here but there’s a Cooper’s in our neighborhood who let me get a shot a few years ago. I like him around for his “pest removal” expertise. http://divaofdelicious.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/what-the-birds-eat/
Oh yeah! The get rid of any rodents and snakes! Thank you Diva! 🙂
Aside from the big shore birds, the raptors are rapidly becoming my favorite bird group.
Raptors are fascinating! You can see and sense the strength and power of the bird! 🙂