I saw something different today.

• Feb 7, 2008

• #1

Doug B.

Senior Member

As I was driving up the road today, I saw a small hawk like bird. The thing that was different is that it was carrying a male cardinal. The cardinal appeared dead, so I am guessing that the small hawk looking bird caught and killed it. I wished I would have had my camera, but I didn't. The first thing I thought of was, I will ask everyone at Woodies what they think it was. So, does anyone know? It was only about two, or at the most three time bigger than the cardinal. Was it some kind of small hawk?

 

• Feb 7, 2008

• #2

Nicodemus

The Recluse

Staff member

Sounds like you`re describin` a Coopers Hawk. Or possibly a Sharpshinned Hawk.

 

• Feb 7, 2008

• #3

R

redneckcamo

Guest

maybe a -Kestral .....just my opinion based on the info

 

• Feb 7, 2008

• #4

FERAL ONE

Shutter Mushin' Mod

or maybe even a kestrel or merlin. they are just a little larger than a cardinal.

 

• Feb 7, 2008

• #5

Doug B.

Senior Member

nicodemus said:

Sounds like you`re describin` a Coopers Hawk. Or possibly a Sharpshinned Hawk.

Click to expand...

I was hoping Nic would answer this question.

I try to learn most plants and animals that i may see here in the north Georgia mountains, but I have never seen this one. I may have just not paid attention. Anyhow, it wasn't anything spectacular looking, just kinda plain brown looking.

 

• Feb 7, 2008

• #6

Nicodemus

The Recluse

Staff member

Thanks Polecat, but let`s wait for Rip 18 to weigh in. He`s forgot more about birds than I`ll ever be able to learn.

 

• Feb 8, 2008

• #7

T

Two-Dogs

Senior Member

I'd bet on a Sharpshinned, I have one in my area, keeps the chipmonks nervous/under control. He/she seems to stay fairly close to the ground, and is spooky, allways moving.

Have seen one patroling the outdoor section of the garden dept. at Lowes in Woodstock several times...

 

• Feb 8, 2008

• #8

northgeorgiasportsman

Moderator

Staff member

I once watched what I think was a kestrel flying with a sparrow in it's clutches, and what I suppose was the mate of the sparrow flying in close pursuit.

 

• Feb 8, 2008

• #9

Doug B.

Senior Member

After seeing what everyone here thinks it could be, I looked up all the options and it kinda looked like a sharpshinned hawk. Thanks for the help guys!

 

• Feb 8, 2008

• #10

robertyb

Senior Member

My bet would be a Sparrow Hawk.

 

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• Feb 8, 2008

• #11

Resica

Senior Member

I'm gonna say Cooper's Hawk.

 

• Feb 8, 2008

• #12

Vernon Holt

Gone But Not Forgotten

Since there is insufficient description to make a positive ID, I too would suspect that it was a Cooper's Hawk.

This bird throughout GA is known as "Blue Darter". He was given this handle by virtue of his ability to fly at full speed through undergrowth and scrub without ever rustling a feather. The "blue" derives from the fact that his back is a blue-gray solid color.

As with the Sharp Shinned, the blue darter has learned to lean heavily upon bird feeders for a quick meal. Once he homes in on a bird, that is the end of the line.

Cooper's Hawk is the number one enemy of the Bobwhite Quail. In earlier times when farm families kept free ranging chickens this bird would prey upon young chicks and up to half grown chickens. Once they developed a taste for chicken, they would revisit almost daily until they cleaned up all of the small chickens. My Dad always kept a game rooster with the flock since he could be relied upon to fly up and challenge the hawk, often diverting the attack.

 

• Feb 10, 2008

• #13

Doug B.

Senior Member

The bird looked to be about this size.
I didn't get to see it long enough to get a good description.

 

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• Feb 10, 2008

• #14

P

potsticker

Guest

sounds like a banded male cardinal killer, common in the south!

 

• Feb 10, 2008

• #15

Lostoutlaw

Senior Member

Falcon what it sounds like to me...
Just my 02 worth

 

• Feb 12, 2008

• #16

11P&YBOWHUNTER

Banned

Sharp shinned or coopers.

 

• Feb 12, 2008

• #17

rip18

Senior Member

Yep, sounds like a Cooper's hawk or a sharp-shinned hawk. Wish you could have gotten a picture; that would have been cool.

At least you've got the image in your mind.

 

• Feb 12, 2008

• #18

Fishin & Hunting

Senior Member

I watched a coopers hawk attack and capture a flicker while deer hunting a couple of years ago, only to have a large owl come and steal it from him. Was very interesting.

 

• Feb 12, 2008

• #19

dawg2

AWOL ADMINISTRATOR

A pic of that would have been great! Maybe next time.

 

• Feb 12, 2008

• #20

Doug B.

Senior Member

rip18 said:

Yep, sounds like a Cooper's hawk or a sharp-shinned hawk. Wish you could have gotten a picture; that would have been cool.

At least you've got the image in your mind.

Click to expand...

I would have loved to have a picture of it, didn't have a camera with me, and also it happened quickly. The image in my mind .... the hawk was a dull grayish brown, and the lifeless cardinal was a bright crimson red dangling from the hawks talons...