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From: dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sam Conway)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Chicken Hawks
Message-ID: <17670@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU>
Date: 4 Dec 89 17:09:12 GMT
Sender: news@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU
Reply-To: dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sam Conway)
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lines: 21

While it is true that the Cooper's hawk is the one that is most
commonly referred to as "chicken hawk", the term has a tendency
to be applied to any raptor seen within 100 feet of a chicken
coop.  Those that eat birds, of course, are most often seen there,
but I've had reports of redtail "chickenhawks", kestrel "chicken-
hawks" and even once a grouse "chickenhawk".  Gotta watch those
carnivorous grouse!

There was an article in National Geographic back in 1975 about
Cooper's hawks ("Can the Cooper's Hawk Survive?", NG, exact issue
unknown, '75) that should dispel any illusion about their shyness.
There are some great pictures of a male Coop shredding a 
photographer who got too close to the nest.  Recommended reading
for any raptor-lover!  Check your local library.


--
Sam Conway 
dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu                        Save the Humans!     
Chemistry Dept., Dartmouth College
Vermont Raptor Center, VINS