Date:         Thu, 13 May 1999 09:23:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Carl Miller <camiller@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Carl Miller <camiller@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Atlanta Cooper's Hawk status?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

In November (98) an immature Cooper's Hawk arrived in our neighborhood
which is in Buckhead (Atlanta NE quadrant NW block). This bird is still
hanging around. I do not know if it has found a mate and is nesting
somewhere around here. It is constantly in the presence of around 10
harassing crows.
 
I believe it is eating its prey in a Post Oak near some dense
arborvitaes. I have found all sorts of bird feathers in this spot
including tail feathers of Cedar Waxwings and either Hairy or Downy
Woodpeckers. I seldom can see this bird because of the many tall
hardwood trees and dense shrubs in this area, but I hear its scream
frequently and it drives the crows nuts. They immediately caw like they
are dying. And that brings up a question. The call is a rasping croaking
KE-EK not at all like the higher pitched scream of a Sharp Shinned hawk.
I do not have any taped calls of Coopers Hawk but I do of Sharp Shins
and this bird does not sound like any Sharp Shin. I have searched the
web for Coopers Hawk calls but have only found pictures. One site had a
call also but for some reason my computer would not play it although it
played all of the other calls on this site.
 
Can anyone comment on the Coopers Hawk call and the possibility of its
nesting in the Atlanta area.
 
Carl Miller
Atlanta, GA