[Birdnet] I Have a Backyard Too

[Thorum]

Isn't it great when a bird will sits in one place long enough to get a good look at all the identifying marks?   This afternoon I was sitting on the sofa when I heard a very loud window strike.  As I look up, startled, I saw a hawk headed towards the tree by our patio, and on the ground was a very dead Mourning Dove.  In a minute the hawk flew down to take its prey.  It flew with it to the fence between us and our neighbors.  My fences are over grown with Virginia Creeper and Ivy so it made a good sound perch to have lunch on.   It took the hawk about 20 minutes to devour most of the dove.

At first I thought "Sharpie", but felt it was big.  In that 20 minutes, with the bird turning about so I could see all sides of it I was able to determine it was a Coopers Hawk.  I felt I had a Coopers once before when one took a Quail and was able to move the bird around quite easily and fly with it.  This bird had every identifying mark in both my Sibley and my thick National Geo.  It was quite a sight, and I didn't feel too bad about it getting a dove as I have had up to 24 feeding at my feeders at one time this Winter.  When it did take off it took the remains with it, which was only the ribs and the back.  When I checked the left over mess I thought I would find the head, but none.  Did he swallow it whole? 

Yesterday I had Lazuli Buntings for the first time in a lots of years.  In fact the last time I had them was when the Little Cottonwood Creek flooded my neighbors. I hope the isn't a precursor.

Birding is good,
Donna Thorum
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