More Cooper’s Hawks

Due to their expanding populations and their relentless, full-bore hunting techniques, Cooper’s Hawks are frequent “clients” in need of assistance to egress buildings, after they pursue smaller prey birds, such as blackbirds, pigeons, or starlings, through roll-up doors or other large entries. In the photos below of male Cooper’s Hawks, note the plumage difference between adults (subtle rusty barring on breasts)) versus juvenile birds (graphic brown vertical streaks on breasts).

San Francisco Grocery Store

Our friends at Wildlife Emergency Services forwarded a call that a hawk was unable to escape the warehouse area of a large grocery store. We responded and were able to capture and release this adult male on-site. He is presumed to be one of known pair with a successful near-by nest.

San Rafael Residence Hotel

Unable to escape an urban side yard covered with pigeon exclusion netting, this adult male Cooper’s Hawk was healthy enough to release in the open.

San Mateo Church

On October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a juvenile Cooper's Hawk was rescued two days after he flew into this church. Thank you to Father Paul, science teacher Anne Silva Barsi, and the congregants at St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Church, whose concern for its well-being gave this hawk a chance to live.

Santa Rosa Winery

Large commercial spaces are unintended traps for raptors, like this adult male. I like that the meaning of “Cooper” is “barrel maker.”

San Jose Grocery Store

We were called by folks from the “Los Gatos Birdwatcher” to help another misguided shopper. Here’s an excerpt from their blog: "On Monday a Cooper's Hawk flew into a store in San Jose. The employees had no idea how to get the bird outside. We got the call and tried to help by coordinating all the rescue groups. This morning Craig Nikitas from BRR showed up, and like a super hero, he trapped the bird and let it go free! He made it look easy. Thank you Craig."

Novato Residence

This juvenile male Cooper’s Hawk gives another meaning to the name, having gotten tangled in a chicken coop. Emergency animal work is considered an essential service, so we can operate during the Coronavirus shutdown.