Sounds like you definately had a hawk visit, and by the way you described it I would guess a Coopers or a Sharpshinned hawk. You will learn the more you watch birds that there are different levels of threats. In my yard/area a cat is barely a concern. I think this is because there are so many different feeding areas here and so many pairs of bird eyes watching them. Basically my birds reaction to a cat is to move higher up in the tree if they are in the same area as the cat. Everyone else goes on feeding as usual I've also noticed that the birds have different reactions to different hawks. Harriors get no reaction. They fly the fields in search of mice and rabbits and the birds never react when they are in the area. A redtailed hawk will get them a bit more nervous if they actually come into the yard and perch in a tree. They stay in the area, stop eating, head for a tree or stay in the one they happen to be in, they are aware of the hawk but not very worried about being lunch. Kestrels (also known as sparrow hawks) are in the area often too. Most often the birds have no concern about them either. They seem to Know if the kestrel is hunting them or just after mice or grasshoppers. Coopers and Sharpies are deadly though. Mega repect from my birds. Like you described in your situation, everything goes silent and birds instantly dive for the deep cover. A yard full of birds can "disappear" in the blink of an eye. One thing that I have learned is to NOT go outside if I am aware that a cooper or sharpshinned hawk is there. I've had birds flush from trees because they saw me and the hawk will take advantage and pick that opportunity to attack.

I agree with you that the tail is a bit confusing, and points more towards BRH unless this bird is a juvenile, in which case the bands should be essentially equal in width. Hmm this is quite confusing, but I still have to go with RSH based on the transluscent crescents on the wings, this is supposed to be the one of the best field marks for these hawks. The fingery appearance can change based on how the hawk holds its wings. Nathan

It's sometimes a process, rehabber46, just learning (sometimes the hard way) what to do or not do. I see it all around me, the destruction of habitat as the city encroaches on the more 'wild' part of a county. People fleeing the 'city' move into portions of the county that were basically flattened and stripped of trees and shrubs, acres of it. Makes no sense to me, to be honest. Those bare and manicured yards are often kept that way with pesticides. Heck, we don't even spray for mosquitos. We just let the bats do the job for us. Right now, my yard is covered in tons of leaves. Many people don't know this, but some 300 species of insects (butterflies, moths, native bees, etc) overwinter in leaves, many of them attached to the very things most rake, mulch, mow, and clip away. Leaving leaves on the lawn, undisturbed, means far more beautiful and beneficial insects in the coming spring, and it also means more food for the birds as well. We've planted 2 plots of garden for hummingbirds and butterflies (and bees of course), and we've also planted native shrubs (additional ones to those already out there) for birds. American Beautyberry was our most recent. We have oaks that drop an abundance of acorns, several black cherry trees, maples, pine, and tons more. Even holly is beneficial to birds. As long as it's native, it's beneficial. As they say... fresh food, water sources, and shelter (for protection against predators and nesting), and you'll be helping nature thrive. Honestly, it's a lot less yard work when the shrubs are left 'scrubby' and the leaves are left until the temps are back into the 50's consistently, when raking is less harmful to what's overwintering in those leaves. I see more and more people going for the 'cottage garden' or 'wild garden' look for both just landscape.. and even vegetable gardens. I prefer the more messy and wild gardens than the sterile landscapes of most suburbs.

It looks from here to be a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, as already stated. The tail on Accipiters is long with wide bands, and this bird has that. As for the differences between Accipiters, juvenile Cooper's Hawks have fine brown chest streaks that usually come short of the belly, and this bird has that. So, good call.