I have a completely deaf cat -- she was born that way and has lived all over the world, and seen many things, but never heard anything. And she is the first of the pet menagerie to alert to a hawk overhead. She sees the shadow and runs, real low, back into the house. She goes outside but is never willing to go more than a few feet, and always within sight, of the door. She's incredibly visual, playing with things that the other cat and the dogs can't even see - like shadows on the wall. And when hawks fly over, it's interesting to watch because the other cat, who's very stupid but not deaf, and the dogs, don't seem to notice a hawk overhead. But deaf kitty will see that shadow cross the yard 20 feet away and quietly slink into the house. She doesn't do that with seagulls or herons, which throw a pretty big shadow too. She somehow knows, just from the shadow, that that's a predator. (and yes, for cat fanciers, she's pure white. most pure white cats are genetically deaf, though not all. she's a holy terror if you surprise her from behind, and absolutely queen of the pets. vets hate her because she bites them. but I love her. And her "disability" means she's unable to catch yard-prey, which is good. had to put a bell on the other little beast because he brought in a bird once. lizards, i'm fine with. even snakes. but the cats must leave the birds alone.) susannah

Hi Kids, Happy New Year to you all. I saw my first Hawk in the yard today. I think it was a Northern Goshawk. I got a few pictures of it which I will post as soon as I am able. It was beautiful. It sounds like we are all enjoying the birds. The worms I always kept on hand for the Blues were live mealworms. I know you can get the freeze dried, but I have always used the live ones. They are not gross at all. They are small, only about an inch, dry and easy to handle...no slime. I order them on line and they arrive in a bag, inside a box. I take them out, put them in a shallow plastic container that has a lid and, put them in the lower part of the refrig. They last for a long time. I would even feed them apples so they stayed plump and happy. I think I got 5,000 for about $15. The Blues LOVED them. I was lucky enough to have a Flicker visit during my PFW count this past week. I was so excited. We seem to have a mini flock of 3 that now visit the suet feeder just about every day. They are so beautiful. I'll try to post the pictures of the Hawk. I would like to know if you all agree wtih my ID of it as a Goshawk. sooey

Adult male Cooper's, probably a little bit smaller than an American Crow by comparison. Pretty bird, lovely shot. :) And I am so late in responding because I haven't checked the Raptor forum in ages! :)

I’m no good at identifying hawks either, Digit! Don’t have any idea what the one I saw last week was! About the only one I’m ever really certain of is a Red Tail—in flite, when I see the glint of red in the sun! But here are a couple pages that “might” help—some! This is about the best “hawk ID” page I’ve found! http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/hawks.html And this is the “main page” with links to other birds of prey too! http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/Birds_of_Prey.html I can’t use this on my Dumb Phone, but possibly it could help you—and others! Just got it in an email today! http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/merlinphotoid/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=ac5ca3fdac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_12_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-ac5ca3fdac-302450646 And this is another “bird email” I got today with three “bird cam shorts!” I noticed it because Zach brought up ravens above, and the first short video has a VERY “vocal” young raven in it! Enjoy! http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b35ddb671faf4a16c0ce32406&id=de8a57e0bb&e=cb6f4a5944 My feeders—and birdbath—have been mobbed for the last couple days! Wonder why!!! Just a little bit chilly out there! Haven’t seen a flicker back at the suet again, but I do believe the house sparrows have decided to look for Friendlier Yards, so I think I’m probably safe in putting the second suet cage back out near the little branches—where the house finches and juncos can reach it! Looks like more “weather” coming in in the next week—or two! Feed the birds! Skybird