tom:
> Of all the birds of prey associated with hunting, the stories I've
> collected about accipiters are far and away at the top of the
> *have no fear* list..

We raptor banders describe 'em as topping the *have no brains* list, actually.
I think, though, it's just a matter of focus and concentration. After
watching a sharpie dive vertically down a white fir about 1 foot from the
trunk, weaving between the branches in an attempt to snag a mountain
chickadee which neatly avoided it by flying upwards to the next branch
at just the right moment, followed by the sharpie doing a 180 while
still in this vertical stoop, back straight up weaving through branches
back to the chickadee, I had an insight. If sharpies and Coops paid
any attention to anything other than missing obstructions they'd bonk
themselves all the time. I'd guess there's a benefit to avoiding
bonking even if it means that occasionally they become lunch for
something else due to their single-minded pursuit.

> goshawks have been known to hit the
> ground running after a rabbit and actually disappear down a hole
> chasing it..

And there is nothing funnier looking than a goshawk or a Coop running
on the ground, reminding me a bit of film I've seen of Secretary
birds loping long-leggedly. Well, actually, a Coop with a ground
squirrel tail hanging out of its mouth like a limp cigar is pretty
funny looking, too.

- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>