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From: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (R C. Buchmann)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Suburban Raptors
Message-ID: <1989Dec4.161432.14276@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 4 Dec 89 16:14:32 GMT
References: <1989Nov29.032434.9233@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <51748@oliveb.olivetti.com>
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
Reply-To: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (R C. Buchmann)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lines: 37

In article <51748@oliveb.olivetti.com> mjm@oliven.olivetti.com (Michael Mammoser) writes:
>
>	Actually, I've had a number of experiences observing Cooper's
>Hawks in suburban settings. I've seen them in creekside habitats that
>flow through residential areas, bordering on people's backyards; seen
>them sitting in trees in frontyards along residential streets during
>rush hour. 
>
Whoops.  Again, my mistake.  I admit that I am _not_ a well traveled birder
(I don't own a car and don't have enough money to travel long distance), and
most of my ornithological know-how comes from books or, in the case of raptors,
my father.  In the east, Cooper's are not in the habit of going to the suburbs,
which have been taken over by Kestrels.  You are right that a Cooper's Hawk
is considered a rarity (at least in the midwest), but perhaps us birders are
missing more than we know in all the sharp-shins.

>	Also, in the accounts that I have read about the infamous
>"Chicken Hawk", they have been characterized as bold and daring in
>their hunting, undeterred even by the presence of people.

I forgot about those stories.  I did read once that Cooper's Hawks were one
of the fiercest accipiters (2nd only to Goshawk) and were totally undeterred
by man, and that they were the legendary "Chicken Hawk" (Although Goshawks
also played the part).  My comment about shy stemms from the fact that 
Cooper's Hawks in the wilderness (at least here) seem leery of man.  Last year
was one of the worst years ever for winter bird populations, and I didn't hear
a single report of a Cooper's in a suburb.  But you are probably right--it 
depends on the population.


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R. Cody Buchmann                             ^.^  
   "Kehaar"                 

email: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu       "Now I fly for you..." - Watership Down
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