Witnessing a hawk snatch a songbird off your birdfeeder can be
quite a shock. Although most of us understand the food chain,
backyard birders would prefer these sharks of the sky get their
meals elsewhere. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks are the two
most common birds of prey that visit birdfeeders in urban Orange
County, says Biologist Scott Thomas, who runs raptor research
for the local Sea & Sage Audubon Society. Cooper's Hawks'
numbers have grown significantly in California as they adapted
to finding prey at birdfeeders and nesting in urban areas. BRUCE
CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER "Sharp-shinned Hawks are
migrants and visit our area from October through March or April,
while Cooper's Hawks are here year-round," Thomas said. Both are
fast, agile fliers that can maneuver around buildings and trees
in a surprise attack. Both species prey chiefly on small birds,
while the Cooper's Hawk includes some small mammals in its diet.
"About 25 years ago, Cooper's Hawks were on California's special
concern li