A rare urban wildlife moment unfolded when a Cooper's Hawk landed on a side fence and lingered for nearly 20 minutes, offering an up-close look at one of nature's stealthiest hunters. The hawk’s presence was striking, and its calm demeanor unusual in a city setting.

Initially, the hawk was observed from inside the house, with photos taken through a large window. After many encounters with raptors, I knew getting close to one without startling it is always a challenge.

After capturing some images indoors, stepping outside cautiously provided a better vantage point. Surprisingly, the hawk seemed indifferent to the presence of an observer, allowing for a rare, unobstructed view.

As the peaceful moment continued, a routine household event introduced tension—the cat bolted outside just as the front door opened. Given the hawk’s predatory instincts, concerns immediately arose about whether it would see the cat as prey.

After some research I found that Cooper’s Hawks primarily hunt birds, but they’ve been known to take small mammals on occasion. The cat’s presence prompted a brief pursuit to guide it back indoors, but the hawk remained undisturbed.

Even as the cat darted under a nearby car, the hawk held its ground. Eventually, with a gentle shooing motion, it took flight, landing in a nearby tree. Finally, the Cooper's took off down the street. No sure why the visit or why the hawk was not concerned with my presence.

According to my research, raptors like the Cooper’s Hawk are increasingly common in urban areas. They thrive where there are ample food sources, including pigeons and small birds, making city environments surprisingly suitable for them.

• Audubon: Cooper's Hawk Field Guide
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Cooper's Hawk
• BirdWatching Daily: Cooper’s Hawks Thriving in Cities