Big Hawk In San Juan Capistrano Shows Tail Fan: Photo Of The Week

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — Cooper's hawks are birds of prey commonly found across North America. Common as they are, it's not every day that you get to see one showing off its tail fan to the world.

San Juan Capistrano resident photographer Kristine Erickson was lucky enough to catch this Cooper's hawk displaying his plumage early this week while walking her dog in her neighborhood.

While Erickson did not have her camera on her, the hawk was kind enough to stick around while she ran back home to grab her equipment. Erickson told Patch that she's a big fan of Cooper's hawks, and this particular hawk seems to know it.

Cooper's hawks are crow-sized birds of prey, though males are much smaller. They're found across North America in wooded habitats and typically feed on smaller birds by picking them up with their sharp talons and squeezing until their prey is dead, according to AllAboutBirds.org.

Aside from those grisly details, Cooper's hawks are superb fliers. However, judging by the ruffled feathers of the hawk, this reporter thinks it's safe to say that he's not on the hunt — he's just a little bit of a show-off.