Cooper’s Hawks are extremely fond of GNG and the variety of birds it attracts. Cooper’s Hawks main diet almost exclusively consist of birds smaller than itself. This may frighten some native gardeners, but one must always rely on the balance already provided by nature. Cooper’s in GNG often hunt jays and doves, two species that can become over populated and have an adverse impact on the environment if numbers go unchecked.
Often we come across the tall tell sign of a successful Cooper’s hunt – scattered feathers under high tree limb perches or even as low as fence posts. Cooper’s have adapted well to urban settings and one of the most common birds of prey seen in Southern California.