[Birdtalk] Predator vs. Prey in my backyard

[Dave Slager]

Hope some of you will enjoy this one...

My wife and I had a pretty cool sighting this morning just outside our
apartment on the University of Utah campus. I saw flying across the
lawn what appeared to be a large bird whose silhouette resembled a
rooster pheasant--it was flying low and direct with a long tail and
rapid wingbeats.  As it came nearer it became apparent that it was not
one bird but two--an immature Cooper's Hawk carrying a Black-billed
Magpie in its talons.  The long tail of the magpie was trailing way
behind the hawk.  The hawk with the magpie (of about the same size!)
landed no more than 20 yards from my wife and I,  the magpie still
struggling to escape.  The Coop sat there for a while, probably
finishing the job, and then flew out of sight without too much
struggle, still carrying the magpie.  The local magpies were going
crazy mobbing the hawk; the magpie must have made quite a nice meal
for the youngster Coop.  Too bad I didn't have my camera or
binoculars!

Keep your eyes open,

Dave Slager
Salt Lake City