Cooper's Hawk - Ethan Ellis
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Saylorville Reservoir--Oak Grove Recreation Area
Polk, Iowa, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 41.7373756, -93.694582
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

Very weird behavior. Pair standing on the ground amongst a group of AMCR in a patch of willows by the parking lot. About a dozen times, either of the COHAs allowed a crow to wander within 5 ft, and would then pursue the crow, either on foot or in flight. Each time the chasing COHA returned to the other COHA on the ground. I’ve never seen Accipiters behave this way before and neither appeared injured, and none of the AMCR were obviously mobbing. My best guess is the COHAs killed prey nearby and it was still on the ground.

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