{"id":3964,"date":"2020-10-30T07:44:27","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T07:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=3964"},"modified":"2020-10-30T07:44:29","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T07:44:29","slug":"coopers-hawk-not-your-average-western-movie-prop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2020\/10\/30\/coopers-hawk-not-your-average-western-movie-prop\/","title":{"rendered":"COOPER&#8217;S HAWK: NOT YOUR AVERAGE WESTERN MOVIE PROP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:30px\"><strong>PART I: COOPERS HAWK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In North America, raptors, or birds of prey, are thought to be one of the most exciting species of wildlife to see. The Bald Eagle should basically be on the American flag, falcons have been the prized possession of kings, noblemen and a total of three NFL football fans, and owls are portrayed as wise and mysterious, or on Drake\u2019s clothing line. Today, for many people, raptors symbolize the majesty and wildness of nature (<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">BC Resource Inventory Committee<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">2001<\/a>) and not much else suites that title better than a lively little dare devil known as Cooper\u2019s Hawk. You may be vaguely familiar with the Cooper\u2019s Hawk (<em>Accipiter cooperii<\/em>), potentially catching a glimpse of this species swooping into your backyard bird feeder to catch an unsuspecting songbird or perching on top of a light post along your street, scanning for their next meal. However, you may not know the details of this excitable accipiter\u2019s life, so take a load off and let this blog bring you up to speed. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">ONE BIG FEISTY FAMILY <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s Hawk is a medium sized raptor belonging to the Genus Accipiter, within the family Accipitridae and Order Accipitriformes, the largest and most diverse genus of the birds of prey. Species belonging to this group range from the little sparrowhawk (<em>A. <\/em>minullus), which is approximately the size of a thrush at 7 inches (it\u2019s as adorable as you think it would be), to the northern goshawk (<em>A. gentilis<\/em>) which stands around 25 inches tall (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/accipiter\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/accipiter\">Rodriguez<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/accipiter\">2019<\/a>). Cooper\u2019s Hawks are fairly variable in size, however females are generally larger than males with an average wingspan of 32 inches, length of 17 inches, and weight of 18 ounces. Males have a wingspan averaging 28 inches, average length of 15 inches, and average 11 ounces in weight (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/coopers_hawk\/id\">All About Birds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">KNOW YOUR HAWKS NEXT TIME  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-29-235449.png\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"3960\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?attachment_id=3960\" class=\"wp-image-3960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-29-235449.png 333w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-29-235449-199x300.png 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Figure 1: Juvenile Cooper&#8217;s Hawk (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds-of-prey.org\/bird-species\/2017\/6\/5\/coopers-hawk\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">Photo credit<\/span><span class=\"has-inline-color has-pale-cyan-blue-color\">: Birds of Prey Foundation<\/span><\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/60324921-720px-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"3961\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/60324921-720px-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?attachment_id=3961\" class=\"wp-image-3961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/60324921-720px-1.jpg 720w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/60324921-720px-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Figure 2: Adult Cooper&#8217;s Hawk (Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Coopers_Hawk\/media-browser\/60324921\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-pale-cyan-blue-color\">Evan Lipton<\/span><\/a>) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s Hawk sports the classic accipiter shape, a long tail rounded at the tip (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/birds\/c\/coopers-hawk\/\">National Geographic<\/a>), and broad, rounded wings (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/coopers_hawk\/id\">All About Birds<\/a>) which allows for mind boggling maneuverability when chasing its prey. A good identification feature of Cooper\u2019s Hawk is their flat, dark cap combined with a sightly paler nape (back of the neck; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sibleyguides.com\/product\/sibley-field-guide-birds-western-north-america-second-edition\/\">Sibley, 2016<\/a>) as well as distinct red eyes and a short sharply curved beak. Plumage along the back is blueish-gray which contrasts with a pale white underside (upper-breast area) infused with dense reddish barring (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/coopers_hawk\/id\">All About Birds<\/a>). The tail of Coopers Hawk is dark with thick, black horizontal striping. Juvenile Cooper\u2019s Hawks aren\u2019t quite as eye catching, with dark brownish plumage on the back and a white underside combined with vertical brown streaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">MISIDENTIFICATION WOOPS <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s hawk can be puzzling to identify at times because they are often confused with the smaller but similar Sharp-shinned hawk (<em>Accipiter striatus<\/em>). However, there are subtle but key differences between these two species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 59%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"443\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/xcoopers-hawk-sharp-shinned-hawk-silhouette-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.ZZWUBCEGTh-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/xcoopers-hawk-sharp-shinned-hawk-silhouette-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.ZZWUBCEGTh-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/xcoopers-hawk-sharp-shinned-hawk-silhouette-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.ZZWUBCEGTh-2-300x222.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Sharp-shinned hawks have a slightly shorter tail and wings which bend at the wrist, resulting in quick snappy wingbeats Cooper\u2019s Hawk on the other hand has broader wings which are held straight, resulting in slower, stiff wingbeats (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sibleyguides.com\/product\/sibley-field-guide-birds-western-north-america-second-edition\/\">Sibley, 2016<\/a>). &nbsp;                                          <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Figure 3: Side-by-side comparison of Cooper&#8217;s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk (Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdwatching-bliss.com\/coopers-hawk-sharp-shinned-hawk-id.html\">Birdwatching Bliss<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/12176702303_01883b9cbf_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3921\" width=\"551\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/12176702303_01883b9cbf_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/12176702303_01883b9cbf_c-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/12176702303_01883b9cbf_c-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><figcaption>Figure 4: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bifulco\/12176702303\/\">Deborah Bifulco<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">BREEDING BEHAVIOUR <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s Hawk breed in a wide array of habitat, from urban locations adjacent to densely populated neighborhoods or busy roads to remote woodlands far from development (<a href=\"http:\/\/images.library.wisc.edu\/EcoNatRes\/EFacs\/PassPigeon\/ppv60no02\/reference\/econatres.pp60n02.jbielefeldt.pdf\">Bielefeldt <em>et al, <\/em>1998<\/a>). &nbsp;Cooper\u2019s Hawk establish territories of approximately 0.8 km<sup>2<\/sup> in size and begin seeking mates when two years of age or older (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.coopershawks.com\/about.html\">Norman<\/a>). In British Columbia, courtship displays begin in mid-April to early May, with egg laying occurring anywhere from late April to late July. Young are at the nest from early June to late August (<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">BC Resource Inventory Committee<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">2001<\/a>) and Cooper\u2019s Hawks typically support a brood size between 3 to 5 (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3996\/nafa.78.0001\">Millsap <em>et al, <\/em>2013<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/CHINSforWeb.pdf\">Pericoli, 2004<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with most birds of prey, Cooper\u2019s Hawk exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism, with females nearly a third larger than males. Due to their larger size, the male is generally submissive and cautious when interacting with his mate, building the majority of the nest and feeding the female for up to a month before she begins laying eggs. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s Hawk is broadly distributed throughout North America, and is situated in a wide range of habitat, however, the species is usually found in mixed deciduous\/coniferous forests (<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">BC Resource Inventory Committee<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">2001<\/a>), gravitating to areas with good canopy cover adjacent to an clearing or break in vegetation. In a study observing the breeding behavior of Cooper\u2019s Hawk, (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3996\/nafa.78.0001\">Millsap <em>et al<\/em>, 2013<\/a>) found nests to be in areas close to water drainages or small streams and usually within 100 metres of a large opening such as a field or road. Being relatively tolerant of human disturbance Cooper\u2019s Hawk can also live developed areas such as a city parks or golf courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/coopers-hawk-range.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3939\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/coopers-hawk-range.png 494w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/coopers-hawk-range-274x300.png 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><figcaption>Figure 5: Coopers Hawk range in North America Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Coopers_Hawk\/maps-range\">Cornell Birds of North America<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s Hawk can be found year-round in a large portion of their range, predominantly in the continental US, with some residents in northern Mexico and Southern Canada. Many cooper\u2019s hawks do not migrate south during the winter, particularly those in the middle and southern united states, with the exception of those that breed further north, particularly in the Canadian prairies (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/coopers-hawk\">Audubon<\/a>). This northernmost population migrates as far as central America to regions where prey is abundant in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">HUNTING AND DIET <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s hawks tend to hunt in areas with high visibility such as open forest understory, fields, and estuaries, taking advantage of these habitat with its stellar eyesight to locate unsuspecting prey species. Cooper\u2019s hawk often utilizes the element of surprise, concealing itself in foliage close to its prey and then exploding through in a high speed chase that would put James Bond to shame, pulling off mind blowing moves between thick foliage and squeezing through gaps not much larger than itself. However, hunting birds is not an easy pastime, and accidents do happen. One study conducted by Northeastern University of over 300 Cooper\u2019s hawk skeletons observed healed over fractures in the bones of the pelvic girdle, especially the wishbone, in approximately 20 percent of the birds (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.adirondackalmanack.com\/2014\/03\/adirondack-birds-prey-accipiters.html\">Adirondack Almanack, 2014<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/10\/a1_2304_1_coopers_hawk_pamela_kopenapa_2016_adult.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Figure 6: Adult Coopers hawk standing over catch (Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/coopers-hawk\">Pamela Kopenapa<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cooper\u2019s hawks are not picky eaters, and although passerines compose a large part of their diet (<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">BC Resource Inventory Committee<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">2001<\/a>), they have been observed going after a diverse variety of prey species ranging from waterfowl, to small mammals and reptiles (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3996\/nafa.78.0001\">Millsap <em>et al<\/em>, 2013<\/a>). Though due to their longer lifespan (10-12 years) and high position on the food chain, Cooper\u2019s Hawk are more susceptible to poisoning from pollution and pesticides as some chemicals accumulate in organisms over time and become concentrated as they move up the food chain (<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">BC Resource Inventory Committee<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/nr-laws-policy\/risc\/rapt_ml_v2.pdf\">2001<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan, 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px\">CONSERVATION STATUS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Numbers of Cooper\u2019s Hawk declined in the mid-20<sup>th<\/sup> century as a result of human persecution (<a href=\"https:\/\/abcbirds.org\/bird\/coopers-hawk\/\">American Bird Conservancy<\/a>) and the widespread use of DDT and other chemicals (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/coopers-hawk\">Audubon<\/a>). However, today the species has made a significant recovery (252% increase) over the past 40 years (data from Breeding Bird Survey and\/or Christmas Bird Count: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.audubon.org\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/report_1.pdf\">Butcher and Niven, 2007<\/a>). This population boost is most likely attributed to the protection of the species, the ban of DDT in North America, and Cooper\u2019s Hawks ability to exploit a variety of niches, especially urban habitat. Today the population is listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (<a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.2305\/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695656A93521264.en\">Birdlife International, 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:30px\">PART II: ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE AND EFFECTS OF PERSISTANT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN COOPERS HAWK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Urban areas are often developed over top of highly productive areas such as coastal floodplains and riverine corridors, leading to local declines in biodiversity. Few species generally thrive in these built-up areas, however, Cooper\u2019s Hawk has done just that and has made a name for itself in the big city. However, this lifestyle is not all glamour like they show it to be in the movies, as urban raptors are subject to hazards such as collisions with vehicles and buildings as well as exposure to increased bioaccumulation of toxic substances and pesticides produced from human activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Urban environments are generally contaminated by a variety of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This can include industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been used for decades in many commercial and manufacturing products, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which are used as flame retardants in building materials, electronics, and furnishings (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al, <\/em>2016<\/a>). Organochlorine (OC) insecticides such as DDT are also detected in urban areas previously used for agriculture (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s002440010098\">Harris <em>et al, <\/em>2000<\/a>). One study conducted in Vancouver, Canada by Brogen<em> et al <\/em>(2016) sought to assess the factors influencing the exposure of Cooper\u2019s Hawks to legacy pollutants by examining the effects of land use and population density on containment levels, diet, and reproductive success in the study population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sites within the western Metro Vancouver region were identified and monitored through the use of call-back surveys and citizen science (collected information from eBird.com, BC breeding Atlas, and local naturalists). Land use and average population density was quantified within 1.23km (size of area equal to average home range) of each sampled Cooper\u2019s Hawk nest (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al, <\/em>2016<\/a>). Land use was classified into several categories: rural\/agriculture, recreation, lakes and water, industrial\/utility, undeveloped, and residential commercial. Average population density within each home range was calculated by multiplying the proportion of residential and commercial land within the home range by the associated population density (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al<\/em>, 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both adults and nestlings were captured from nests, with a blood sample no more than three millilitres being extracted from each bird. From these extracted samples, plasma (colourless fluid of blood which excludes red blood cells) samples were prepared and analyzed, providing information on diet and trophic level (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al, <\/em>2016<\/a>), along with the concentrations of a number of organic contaminants including PBDEs, PCBs, and several organochlorine (OC) pesticides. Reproductive success was measured by observing the number of young that fledged from each nest, with fledging success being defined as the number of young present at each nest after 21 days or longer (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al, <\/em>2016<\/a>). &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study found blood plasma sampled within the urban area of Metro Vancouver to contain a variety of legacy contaminants, specifically PCBs, OC pesticides, and of more recent origin, the flame retardant PBDEs (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al, <\/em>2016<\/a>). Concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs in the blood plasma of the studied Cooper\u2019s Hawks were found to be high, increasing with level of development, but not at critical levels which substantially affects population health. Concentrations of these contaminants were found to be similar to other populations of birds of prey across Canada, suggesting that these contaminants have essentially been in environmental equilibrium for some time (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al<\/em>, 2016<\/a>). Concentration of OC insecticides, which are likely derived from past agricultural use of the land, were found to be higher in Cooper\u2019s Hawks than recent reports covering other birds or prey, with three individuals surpassing a critical threshold associated with reduced eggshell thickness. However, overall reproductive success did not appear to be impacted by these concentrations. Mean fledging success of the studied population was 71% with 1.95 fledging per active nest, similar to breeding populations elsewhere in North America (mean success=72%, fledging per nest=2.27) (<a href=\"http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3\">Brogan <em>et al<\/em>, 2016<\/a>). Dietary analysis revealed there to be little variation in the diet of Cooper\u2019s Hawks studied as most birds only pursue medium-sized birds in this region (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1676\/1559-4491-124.4.775\">Cava <em>et al, <\/em>2012<\/a>).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consistent with previous studies of persistent organic pollutants in birds of prey, Brogan <em>et al <\/em>(2016) found there to be ongoing contamination in the resident population of Cooper\u2019s Hawks in Vancouver, thus revealing that exposure is local. However, concentrations of these contaminants have not appeared to reach lethal concentrations at this point in time as this population has been able to colonize the built-up areas surrounding Vancouver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Literature Cited<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adirondack Almanack. 2014. Adirondack Birds of Prey: Accipiters. Retrieved October 14, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.adirondackalmanack.com\/2014\/03\/adirondack-birds-prey-accipiters.html &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">American Bird Conservancy. 2017. Cooper&#8217;s Hawk: Bird of the week. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from: https:\/\/abcbirds.org\/bird\/coopers-hawk\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audubon Field Guide. (n.d.) Guide to North American Birds: Cooper\u2019s Hawk. Retrieved October 13, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/coopers-hawk &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bielefeldt, J., R.N. Rosenfield, W.E. Stout and S.M. Vos. 1998. The Cooper\u2019s Hawk in Wisconsin: A Review of its Breeding Biology and Status. The Passenger Pigeon 60(2): 111-122. Retrieved October 15, 2020, from: http:\/\/images.library.wisc.edu\/EcoNatRes\/EFacs\/PassPigeon\/ppv60no02\/reference\/econatres.pp60n02.jbielefeldt.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Birdlife International. 2016. <em>Accipiter cooperii.<\/em> (n.d.) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.2305\/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695656A93521264.en<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brogan, J.M., D.J. Green, F. Maisonneuve and J.E. Elliott. 2016. An assessment of exposure and effects of persistent organic pollutants in an urban Cooper\u2019s Hawk (<em>Accipiter cooperii) <\/em>population. Ecotoxicology 26: 32-45. http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10646-016-1738-3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Butcher, G.S. and D.K. Niven. 2007. Combining data from the Christmas bird count and the breeding bird survey to determine the continental status and trends of North American birds. National Audubon Society. Retrieved October 14, 2020, from: http:\/\/www.audubon.org\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/report_1.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cava, J.A., A.C. Stewart and R.N. Rosenfield. 2012. Introduced species dominate the diet of breeding urban Cooper\u2019s Hawks in British Columbia. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(4): 775-782. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1676\/1559-4491-124.4.775<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harris, M.L., L.K. Wilson, J.E. Elliott, C.A. Bishop, A.D. Tomlin and K.V. Henning. 2000. Transfer of DDT and metabolites from fruit orchard soils to American Robins (<em>Turdus migratorius<\/em>) twenty years after agricultural use of DDT in Canada. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 39: 205-220. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s002440010098<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman, B. (n.d.) Cooper\u2019s Hawks: <em>Accipiter cooperii. <\/em>Retrieved October 13, 2020, from: http:\/\/www.coopershawks.com\/about.html <em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Millsap, B.A., F.B. Breen and L.M. Phillips. 2013. Ecology of Cooper\u2019s Hawk in North Florida. North American Fauna 78(78): 1-58. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3996\/nafa.78.0001<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National Geographic. 2006. Cooper\u2019s Hawk. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/birds\/c\/coopers-hawk\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pericoli, R.V. and A.M. Fish. 2004. Golden Gate Raptor Observatory\u2019s East Bay Cooper\u2019s Hawk Intensive Nesting Survey. Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.berkeleyside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/CHINSforWeb.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez, E. 2019. Accipiter. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 15, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/accipiter &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Resource Inventory Committee. 2001. Cooper\u2019s Hawk: <em>Accipiter cooperii. In<\/em> Inventory Methods for Raptors. British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, pp. 62-65<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sibley, D.A. 2016. Sibley Birds West: Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York. 478 p.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.) All About Birds: Cooper\u2019s Hawk. Retrieved October 14, 2020, from: https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/coopers_hawk\/id<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PART I: COOPERS HAWK In North America, raptors, or birds of prey, are thought to be one of the most exciting species of wildlife to see. 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