Seeing More Cooper's Hawks in Your Neighborhood?

If it seems like Cooper’s Hawks are showing up in your yard more often lately, you’re not imagining things. We’ve been hearing from many customers across the South Bay who have been seeing these raptors perched on fences, roofs, and branches or gliding through their neighborhoods.

Late spring and early summer are especially active times for Cooper’s Hawks. Adult birds are busy raising hungry young and must make frequent hunting trips to keep their growing families fed. At the same time, newly fledged hawks are beginning to explore the world on their own. These inexperienced juveniles can often be seen practicing their hunting skills in our neighborhoods. Cooper’s Hawks specialize in hunting other birds. Their long tails and short, rounded wings allow them to maneuver through trees and shrubs in pursuit of prey. Backyard feeders that attract songbirds can also attract the predators that depend on them for food.

While witnessing a hawk catch a bird can be unsettling, it’s important to remember that Cooper’s Hawks are a native part of our ecosystem. Their presence is a sign of a healthy bird population. Predators help maintain balance in nature. If a Cooper’s Hawk visits your yard, remember that most hawks stay only briefly before moving on. Providing nearby shrubs, trees, and brushy cover gives your songbirds places to shelter when a hawk is in the area.

Cooper’s Hawks are among the most common birds of prey found in California neighborhoods and have adapted to suburban environments. If you spot a Cooper’s Hawk in your neighborhood, know that it’s one of nature’s most skilled hunters.

Photo: Cooper’s Hawk spotted in flight in a customer’s Willow Glen backyard