HAWKS 
Cooper’s hawk, commonly known as the chicken hawk (the name describes 
several other varieties), is noted for its audacity and strength. With a shrill 
cry it will swoop down on a grouse or barnyard hen quite as large as itself, 
clutch its victim in its powerful talons and tear it to pieces with its short, 
hooked beak. It always captures its victim in open chase, disdaining to 
feed on dead animals and refuse. Like other short-winged hawks, Cooper’s 
hawks do not plunge for their prey, but pursue them in low, raking flight. 
They are able to dart between trees and through thickets, following their 
frightened quarry however abruptly it may turn and avoiding obstacles in 
their paths with amazing skill. In open country their flight consists of a few 
powerful strokes culminating in long glides. They do not soar and circle, 
but fly swiftly and directly to their goal. 
Cooper’s hawks are among the few hawks harmful to poultry. Not 
only do they carry away large quantities of chickens each year, but they 
are exceedingly fond of domesticated doves and rabbits. Farmers have 
long hunted them because of their depredations, but these hawks are still 
fairly numerous throughout North America. Yet they are not solely destruc¬ 
tive from man’s point of view, for they feed on rodents, snakes and insects, 
resorting to this diet when chickens are scarce or well guarded. Aside from 
man, their enemies are larger birds of prey, foxes and weasels. 
The broad-winged and the red-shouldered members of the hawk family 
are the heartiest snake-eaters of the entire group. But many other members 
of this rapacious tribe are not above making a meal of snake meat now 
and then. 
The Cooper’s hawk’s nest is usually built high in a tree, preferably an 
evergreen. This nest consists of a shallow platform of small sticks, often 
lined with leaves and bark. The hawk’s eggs are normally three or four in 
number, and are laid in April and May. 
The duck hawk, a related species, seems to hold the speed record 
among all birds. Observed from airplanes these hawks averaged one hun¬ 
dred and seventy-five miles per hour. 
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