Watch for hawks hovering over your feeder | Bird Notes

As more seasonable weather occurs in our area, many of our feathered friends who may have forsaken backyard bird feeders earlier in fall are returning for our offerings to supplement their diets, along with many newly arriving winter residents. The abundance of birds at our feeders also attracts the attention of winter hawks. The same principle that attracts the songbirds to our feeders is also in play in bringing the birds of prey; namely, we provide a consistent abundance of food to attract the small birds, and the abundance of small birds that congregate at our feeders attracts the hawks, as small birds are among their primary prey items.

There are two hawk species that are prominent winter feeder watchers; sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. Closely related, these two are members of the genus Accipiter and are considered to be woodland hawks. Their broad, short wings enable them to negotiate their preferred habitats with great agility while flying at breakneck speeds. Both species are also known for their tenacity in pursuing prey and their bold natures. It's not unusual to see either of these hawks crash headlong into a thicket in pursuit of prey, and usually emerge with dinner in their talons. Cooper's hawks are frequently observed walking on the ground beneath shrubs or thickets looking upward in search of small birds that may be hiding therein, and often even roost on the ground at night.

Sharpies and Cooper's are so closely related and similar in appearance they can be difficult to sort out as to their identity. Large female sharpies and small male Cooper's can be very close to one another in size. Adults of both species have blue-gray backs and wings, with reddish brown breasts marked by fine horizontal barring. Immatures of both species have grayish brown backs and light color breasts with vertical dark brown streaking. Both species have bright yellow legs. Young birds of both species have yellow eyes, while the eyes of adults are red. In general, if a hawk is about the size of a blue jay, it's likely a sharp-shinned, while Cooper's are closer in size to a pigeon.

Sharpies are early spring and fall migrants through our area with a few northern breeding birds spending winter here. A few Cooper's hawks are resident here, with more passing through during spring and fall migrations, and some from farther northern breeding areas spending winter. Cooper's hawks were once persecuted to the point of near extinction, but thanks to laws protecting hawks and other birds their population has gradually rebounded since the turn of the 20th century.

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Watch for hawks hovering over your feeder | Bird Notes."