Passing of a Cooper's Hawk

Alex and I had a need to take the Gator back to Nick's.  We went through the woods on the way there.  On the way back, we drove the lane.  At the curve, we found a dead Cooper's Hawk.  It was rather fresh as indicated by:  no ants, no flies, no maggots; also, rigor mortis was gone and there was only a faint odor.  The eyes were still 'fresh'  - meaning not dried out and sunken.  Best guess is that it was killed earlier that day, probably in the morning, as it was now evening.  We also figured that it was electrocuted to death, for there were no obvious signs of distress.  

Regardless of the cause, its life force has ceased to remain in its body.  We picked it up and took it over to Austin, so he could see one up close.  We talked about the differences in the size and feathers versus a red-tailed hawk.  Then we took it and gave it a proper burial.  From the earth it came, so to the earth it has returned.

Sad day for the hawk, but an awesome learning opportunity for Austin.  

Alex took these pictures on his cell phone before we buried the hawk.

The underside of a Cooper's Hawk

The back side of a Cooper's Hawk.

Sorry.  I should have put something down beside it for comparison.  Know this.  It is smaller than a red-tailed hawk because it is an accipiter versus buteo (thanks for the knowledge Uncle Trent!).

From the internet of everything:

Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).

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