I received 3 photos today from a friend of a friend (non-birder) of a hawk
having a crow for lunch. I think it's a Cooper's, but my hawk ID skills are
rather rudimentary. Below is the note that accompanied the photos. This
happened at Redmond City Hall. He said the hawk seemed completely unfazed at
having a human within inches of it.

I'd love to have somebody let me know what they think it is. I don't have a
website to post them on, so if anyone wants to take a look, email me, and
I'll send them to you.

Thanks!!


"Subject: Hawk


Right outside my window a hawk caught a crow and had it in it's talons. The
crow was a cripple and was being fed by one of the staff. I went out to
save the crow/pet but its eye was already pecked out. I got to within six
inches of the hawk, it tried to drag the crow away but finally let go. And
even then the hawk stayed by, only three feet away. The freed crow was
stunned. After a few seconds it flew away. The hawk instantly nailed it in
flight. They both landed on the parking lot. Again I got to within six
inches before hawk would let loose, and again the hawk stayed near by.

The crow was really bleeding now and hid under a car. The hawk undeterred
started searching under one car at time. It found the crow and in a blitz,
jumped it. The crow was dead a few seconds later. I don't like crows but
it was letting out such pathetic cries. A mob of crows were in the trees,
screaming, dive bombing the hawk, but the hawk would just cover its prize
with its wings and keep biting.

I continued to watch within inches as the hawk ate its meal completely
unperturbed by me sitting there.

The photos are with my cell phone camera. The only camera I had. Pretty
bad, but you get the idea if you look close. "




Christy Anderson
Bellevue WA

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead