While passing through downtown’s Burnside Park today, I observed some commotion in a tree… something was standing on a pigeon… I could see from the thick banded tail it was a cooper’s hawk. The jostling caused snow to fall on its back so he flew away, with the carcass, to find a better perch. It headed right towards the door of the Exchange Street Post Office! It was 4pm so I assumed it was open for business and I wondered if someone would open the door and be surprised by a hawk at their feet.
Check out the murderous deep red eyes on this adult Cooper’s Hawk. I really like when my pictures show a raptor in a completely urban environment; bricks, metal, concrete – no trees. And a new hawk is always a nice surprise – this is the third individual I’ve seen in Burnside Park this winter. There are plenty of delicious pigeons in the park every day, it’s probably difficult for a hungry hawk to resist.
It only stayed on the ground for a few seconds… then leaped up to a large branch above a bus stop, still holding the pigeon in its talons. A few people waiting for the bus saw it fly over their heads and got a real thrill and smiled.
The whole encounter lasted just three minutes… always have your camera with you.
3 Comments
awesome, he looks triumphant over that pigeon.
bird eats bird :(
Nice shots!!! I’ve been seeing a lot of Cooper’s Hawks this winter. Not one with a pigeon tho…pretty cool!
Sweet! You seem like you know alot. My 12 year old sister is working on cooper’s hawk.She is also trying to learn about other raptors