Visit from a large bird

by Flickr user Steve Byland, used with permission

The other day a very large bird came for a visit and perched in our magnolia tree. I was able to get a picture (not the above picture) and share it with my neighbors to get some help identifying the big bird. Thanks to the many comments from my neighbors, I now know that we were visited by a Cooper’s Hawk. These birds are quite prevalent around our neighborhood and prey on smaller birds :( Upon seeing this large bird (from inside) my cat Newbie was clearly intimidated. Given the size of this bird, I don’t blame him!

A few neighbors thought I might have a Peregrine Falcon in the tree, but I was told by others that peregrines do not perch this low since they are cliff dwellers. Apparently our city of San Jose has a nesting pair who live atop San Jose City Hall, and there is a Falcon Cam! Apparently, Clara the female falcon is currently with Esteban Colbert (yes, named for Stephen Colbert) and they have 2 healthy babies.