Illustration by Christina Mattison Ebert

Illustrator Christina Mattison Ebert shares depictions and information on coastal birds

Accipiter cooperii

At once both captivating and terrifying, Cooper’s hawks are highly agile and adept hunters, darting through heavily wooded areas at high speeds. These hawks are members of the Accipiter genus of birds with their long legs and broad, rounded wings — features that aid their ability to chase and quickly grab their prey. They are carnivorous and often feast on medium-sized birds and small mammals, which consequently means they find your backyard bird feeder a wonderfully convenient place to grab a meal.

Fun fact: During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, a cab driver in Houston became internet-famous when a Cooper’s hawk, which he dubbed “Harvey the Hawk,” took up residence in his vehicle to escape the menacing weather and refused to leave. Fortunately, a local wildlife rehabilitator learned of the bird’s situation and was able to care for Harvey until the storm passed.