The east side of our house is pretty much windows. The other day (during the day), a Cooper’s Hawk flew and hit our window. I think it was after our cat. It was stunned and fell on our deck and then it flew up into a tree by our swimming pool and stayed there about 10-15 minutes. This was within 5 feet of me.
We have a 6-7 lb dog who loves the outdoors and where we lived before (in the suburbs), he would stay outside for 3-4 hours at a time. Now I’m nervous. We’re on 5 1/2 acres, and either surrounded by neighbors who have the same amount of land (lots of woods) or county green space that’s heavily wooded.
Is there anything I can do to protect our dog from the hawk? Thanks in advance!
You’re right to be worried. I would buy my little dog one of these https://www.facebook.com/CoyoteVest/ to wear outside at all times, attended or not.
If you scroll down on the page there is also a Hawk Shield vest.
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Cooper’s Hawks feed on other birds so it is far more likely it was chasing another bird and the reflection from your window caused it to become confused and fly into it. You might consider some decals for your windows that can help birds realize it’s a reflection. And will protect your windows since an impact from a large bird might break it.
They are not very big so a cat or a 7lb dog would be serious prey…i think not very likely.
As for your dog…I would not be worried about a Cooper’s Hawk but other birds of prey might be a concern. I would definitely be wary of eagles if they are common in your area.
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Cooper’s Hawks are one of the 3 genus Accipiters (birds that eat other birds) found in the U.S; the Coopers, the Sharp-shinned and the Goshawk. Their diet is mostly birds and small mammals. I think a cat or dog (unless very young) wouldn’t be desirable… Cooper’s would target chipmunks, tree squirrels, ground squirrels, mice, bats.
You are sure it was a Cooper’s?
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We have a breeding pair of sharp-shinned hawks here, and the occasional Cooper’s. None of them go after the cats, but both species have hit the windows trying to get to the canaries. So has the local barred owl.
Window decals haven’t helped, but due to the steep bank behind the house, they have to approach at angle and bounce off without injury.
@Where’sMyWhite I was sitting about 2 feet from the window. I first saw it fluttering to land on the deck and then take off to the tree. My first impression was that I’ve never seen a bird with markings like that, especially the tail feathers. Absolutely stunning!
It’s so nice to hear that they hunt smaller/different prey. My neighbor saw a little puppy taken away by a bird once. We have other hawks here also. Haven’t seen an eagle though!
@chestnutmarebeware I’m sorry to hear the windows decals haven’t helped. I was really to buy those. I’ve had other birds fly into the windows, so I may try anyway.
Thanks for all the reassurances!
With canaries right inside the window, I think the hunting instinct is overriding the decal warning. Without prey right by the glass, the decals will probably work better!
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Agree with above Accipiters are bird hunters. Window crashes is a leading cause of bird death in urban areas across all bird species. If you invite birds via feeders there are many resources on line on ways of protecting against window crashes. If the bird was possibly going for the canaries, You may wish to consider re-positioning the birds . This is the time of year young birds are trying to learn how to exist, sadly a majority of these birds will not make it through their first year.
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I used to house sit for somebody that had a very small chihuahua. His name was Pocket. He only went outside on a leash. We have red tails and owls. He was also a tan color a little lighter than a rabbit.
My vet had one cat come in with a broken leg. Her was a dilute orange tabby. He had been picked up by a red tail who eventually dropped him. Apparently cats struggle harder than bunnies.
I mention color because I have been told that hawks are attracted to animals that are bunny colored since that is a normal prey from them.
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Decals may work for you, then. Bird impacts on windows are because the window reflection looks like wide open sky and they fly right into it. For people who have birds inside, it’s not an issue of the refection, if the birds of prey are actually attracted to the caged birds inside the house. (Which, I actually think is probably less likely than a reflection issue).
Worth looking into - for the safety of the birds, but also the cost of replacing those big windows.
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