A Cooper's hawk in flight at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Photo by Mason Fidino.

Many bird species are adapted to urban environments. Pigeons, house sparrows and robins exploit niches within urban ecosystems and are more abundant because of it. In some aspects of life these urban adapters may be a bit of an irritation—leaving droppings on your freshly cleaned car or nesting near the window next to your bedroom.

However, animals that make these urban birds part of their diet tend to benefit. Some raptors (meat-eating birds such as falcons, owls and hawks) now include urban areas in their home ranges because they are either agile enough to catch these abundant urban birds in mid-flight or quick enough to dive bomb unsuspecting prey on the ground.

In fall we see a significant increase in the number of raptor sightings at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Raptors are visual hunters, and prey is easier to see from above without leaves to obscure the predator’s field of vision. This is why you often see raptors on light poles on the freeway or at golf courses; open habitat with a high vantage point is a great location for a raptor to hunt.

Cooper’s hawks are the most common raptor seen at Nature Boardwalk. The Cooper’s hawk is a “bird hawk” (known as an accipter) that captures prey from cover or by expertly darting through dense vegetation. Historically seen in mixed deciduous forests and woodlands, these birds are now known to nest in urban areas.

Recently Veterinary Technician Joel Pond noticed a Cooper’s hawk surrounded by a rather large murder (group) of crows. The hawk was in the process of finishing its meal of freshly caught pigeon while the crows were trying to be enough of an annoyance to make it leave its hard-earned snack. The photos below are a little graphic, but it’s a rare treat to observe predation in urban environments.

A Cooper's hawk hunches over its prey. Photo by Joel Pond.

Raptors like Cooper's hawks are finding pigeons and other prey in urban areas. Photo by Joel Pond.

The Cooper's hawk takes another bite. Photo by Joel Pond.

In the city we are often disconnected from the fact that predators eat other animals. This Coopers hawk reminds us that in urban nature, just like in the forest, it’s often kill or be killed!

Mason Fidino

Mason Fidino is coordinator of wildlife management for Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute.

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