Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk native to North America. In recent years, it has adapted to urban and suburban areas and become increasingly common in neighborhoods, parks, and backyards. This has led some bird watchers and residents to wonder if Cooper’s Hawk will become a regular sight in Gurnee as well.
What is Cooper’s Hawk?
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a woodland hawk that is found across much of North America. Adults have striking gray and reddish barring on their undersides and tails. Their backs are blue-gray. These hawks are adept at flying through dense cover in pursuit of smaller birds and mammals.
Cooper’s Hawks measure 14 to 20 inches long with a wingspan of 24 to 35 inches. Females are noticeably larger than males. These accipiters have rounded wings and long tails that help them maneuver deftly through vegetation.
Cooper’s Hawk Behavior and Habits
Cooper’s Hawks are opportunistic predators that hunt small birds and mammals in wooded areas. Their diet consists mainly of doves, jays, woodpeckers, squirrels, and rabbits. They ambush prey from a concealed perch before giving chase through dense vegetation. This hunting strategy allows Cooper’s Hawks to thrive in urban and suburban parks and backyards provided there is enough tree cover.
These accipiters are monogamous and mate for life. Pairs build a new nest each year high up in a tree. The male defends the territory around the nest while the female incubates the eggs and cares for the young.
Cooper’s Hawks are year-round residents across most of their range. Those that breed in Canada and the northern U.S. migrate south for the winter.
Range Expansion into Urban Areas
While Cooper’s Hawks historically nested in mature forests, they have adapted successfully to urban and suburban environments in recent decades.
Several factors likely contribute to the success of urban Cooper’s Hawks:
- Abundant prey such as pigeons, doves, and backyard songbirds
- Nesting sites in ornamental trees and palms
- Reduced competition from larger raptors that avoid developed areas
Breeding populations now exist in cities from Los Angeles to New York and Toronto. As natural habitats shrink, urban areas provide crucial refuges for Cooper’s Hawks.
Sightings in the Chicago Region
Cooper’s Hawks have become more frequent sightings in recent years around Chicago and the northern Illinois suburbs:
- There are an estimated 50 breeding pairs in the city of Chicago
- Nesting pairs have been documented in the Chicago Botanic Garden and other forest preserves
- Birders routinely report sightings on eBird in Cook and Lake counties
This increase mirrors the national trend of urban range expansion for the species.
Will Cooper’s Hawk Move into Gurnee?
The growing presence of Cooper’s Hawks around Chicagoland raises the question – could Gurnee be next? Let’s look at a few key factors:
Habitat Availability
Cooper’s Hawks require at least small woodlots for nesting and trees for perching while hunting. Parks, greenways, and backyards with mature trees provide suitable habitat. Gurnee has:
- Large parks with wooded areas such as Viking Park and Hunt Club Park
- The Des Plaines River Trail with forested sections
- Abundant trees and vegetation in neighborhoods
So there appear to be sufficient trees and habitat for nesting and hunting.
Prey Base
Cooper’s Hawks feed mainly on small birds, including doves, jays, robins, and woodpeckers. They also take small mammals like squirrels and rabbits. Gurnee has:
- Sizeable populations of mourning doves, blue jays, and other hawk prey
- Abundant rabbit and squirrel populations
This prey base could allow the hawks to thrive.
| Prey Species | Population in Gurnee |
|---|---|
| Mourning Doves | Common |
| Blue Jays | Common |
| Woodpeckers | Present |
| Eastern Gray Squirrels | Abundant |
| Eastern Cottontail Rabbits | Abundant |
Proximity to Existing Populations
Gurnee is within the expanding range of Cooper’s Hawks around metropolitan Chicago. Given the hawks’ ongoing adaptation to urban areas, colonization of Gurnee seems plausible.
What Would Cooper’s Hawks Mean for Gurnee?
If Cooper’s Hawks establish breeding territories and become year-round residents, Gurnee residents would be able to observe this fascinating raptor right in their neighborhoods.
Benefits
Potential benefits of an urban Cooper’s Hawk population include:
- Opportunities to observe a beautiful native bird up-close
- Help controlling populations of prey species like squirrels and rabbits
- An indication of a healthy urban ecosystem
Having these birds around can be an exciting educational experience, especially for children.
Drawbacks
There are some potential downsides to consider as well:
- Cooper’s Hawks sometimes prey on small pets like cats
- The hawks can be very territorial during nesting season
- Backyard bird feeding may attract hawks and lead to predation of feeder birds
Homeowners may need to take precautions like keeping small pets indoors and waiting to install bird feeders until after nesting season.
Conclusion
Based on current trends, the appearance of breeding Cooper’s Hawks in Gurnee seems likely in the coming years. The town has suitable habitat, prey species, and proximity to existing urban populations of the hawks.
If Cooper’s Hawks do colonize Gurnee, residents would need to adapt to the presence of these wild raptors in neighborhoods. But they would also have the chance to peacefully coexist with and appreciate a magnificent native bird. Careful planning and precautions can allow the community to benefit from this new wildlife presence.
