Cooper’s Hawks are fascinating birds of prey, but having them breed in your yard might not be an ideal scenario!
These creatures are known for their hunting skills, and while they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, their presence can pose some challenges for your garden and smaller bird populations.
If you own a bird feeder in the hope of attracting songbirds, it will be bye bye birdie once the Cooper’s hawk arrives!
So, in order to protect other beneficial animals in your garden, you have to learn more about this raptor, its unique diet, and predatory abilities.
Let’s get started!
They Are Extremely Territorial
Not only do these hawks possess remarkable hunting skills, but they are also super territorial. This means that the local wildlife population will be significantly decreased, especially your frequent songbird visitors.
Their common prey includes various species, such as Mourning doves, American robins, European starlings, Jays, mice, squirrels, and even domestic chickens. They would also attack small pets running around the garden!
But there’s more to keep in mind. Although magnificent in the wild, the Cooper’s hawk’s exceptional agility and natural comfort in flight can be a disadvantage in populated areas.
For instance, they could easily confuse window reflections of the sky or trees during fast pursuits for clear paths. Smashed windows not only cost you money, but they could potentially harm you if you are standing close by.
What we should also consider is their nesting season – they can get aggressively territorial trying to defend their nests. They view you and your pets as potential threats, which can get pretty messy.
If you are still not convinced of their predatory abilities, then you should check out:
How To Prevent Them
When you put up a bird feeder, you might expect to wake up to birdsong in the morning. However, if you hear no sound, but see scattered feathers in your yard, then a Cooper’s hawk probably got there first.
While you often won’t be able to spot them flying around, they leave unpleasant gifts all over the place. This is due to the fact that they prefer eating their prey after it’s dead.
So, in order to prevent them from coming back to your yard, remove the first thing that attracted them – bird feeders.
To protect those little animals from getting eaten by this scary predator, you should provide some brush piles or dense shrubs in which they can hide.
If you have already experienced smashed windows, I would suggest you install bird-friendly window treatments, such as external screens or UV-reflective decals.
Please remember that Cooper’s hawks are still an important part of local ecosystems. If they show up, it is often a sign that your backyard is a healthy habitat. If you don’t want them in your yard, make these simple adjustments and avoid hurting them at all costs.
In the end, it’s all about living in harmony with nature!