It's that time of year when migrating raptors pass through the city, and many decide to spend some time in the territory of local Red-tailed hawks, Christo and Amelia. In the past, the red-tails have been mostly tolerant of Cooper's hawks, but this season, Christo and Amelia seem to be less patient with the visitors.
On a recent afternoon, we found this immature Cooper's hawk hanging out in a tree in Tompkins Square.
Apparently Amelia spotted it as well and she flew straight at it, chasing it from the tree. She then perched on the cross of St Brigid's church and looked back in the direction the other hawk had flown.
This is the Cooper's in flight.
Amelia didn't like the intruder violating her air space and quickly took off after it.
Cooper's hawks make a very different call than the infamous Red-tailed hawk scream. In this video from 2019, we caught a pair of Cooper's hawks calling to each other here in the neighborhood.
Back in the park, Christo stood watch from a high branch that gave him a view of the entire area.
After a few minutes, Amelia returned and perched atop her favorite corner of the roof of the Christodora building.
A closer look at Amelia - she really is a beauty.
Meanwhile, Christo came down to perch in the fall foliage.
This is the pair on the cross at St Brigid's.
As the sun went down, they stayed vigilant, ensuring no other hawks crept into the park to spend the night.
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