Cooper's Hawk
As an avian researcher I've done my fair share of banding birds. Banding my little sparrows and releasing them, knowing I'll prob never see or hear about them again.
So it was a nice feeling today to get to call in a band.
I was taking my trash out this morning, when I looked over and saw a hawk dead in the grass - a beautiful female Cooper's Hawk. Being me I went and looked at it and then got my camera to snap some pictures. While doing this I noticed it was banded. I called Cat and asked him about it, and as out lab holds a salvage permit it was decided I'd bring the bird in (other wise it is a 10K fine for collecting anything other than the band number form the bird. But really - it would be a shame to leave a bird in such nice condition to the feral cats.
I have to say I'm still impressed at the size and fierceness of a raptor's claws, even on a delicate raptor like a Coopers. Kinda makes me want to take back up the idea of getting my falconry's license. Funny thing to me was - all the respect I showed the dead hawk - wrapped it up gently and carried it cradled in my arm as I biked in - when i called the band number in they ask if shot it. I know there are people who shoot/hunt hawks, but I like to think they are morons and don't exist. Bc really - what is the point of shooting a hawk? not much to eat there.
I can't wait to get my "certificate of appreciation" and see where this bird was from - impatiently checks e-mail again.
So it was a nice feeling today to get to call in a band.
I was taking my trash out this morning, when I looked over and saw a hawk dead in the grass - a beautiful female Cooper's Hawk. Being me I went and looked at it and then got my camera to snap some pictures. While doing this I noticed it was banded. I called Cat and asked him about it, and as out lab holds a salvage permit it was decided I'd bring the bird in (other wise it is a 10K fine for collecting anything other than the band number form the bird. But really - it would be a shame to leave a bird in such nice condition to the feral cats.
I have to say I'm still impressed at the size and fierceness of a raptor's claws, even on a delicate raptor like a Coopers. Kinda makes me want to take back up the idea of getting my falconry's license. Funny thing to me was - all the respect I showed the dead hawk - wrapped it up gently and carried it cradled in my arm as I biked in - when i called the band number in they ask if shot it. I know there are people who shoot/hunt hawks, but I like to think they are morons and don't exist. Bc really - what is the point of shooting a hawk? not much to eat there.
I can't wait to get my "certificate of appreciation" and see where this bird was from - impatiently checks e-mail again.