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Red-tailed Hawk - The official bird of Cotati, CA

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

July 06, 2015 04:30 AM

Redtailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk - The official bird of Cotati, CA

If you ever visit Cotati, CA, chances are you will see several Red-tailed Hawks patrolling the sky. They rule the avian population here, much to the dismay of pigeons and crows. The hawks will constantly taunt the other nesting birds, stealing eggs or worse.

I noticed recently that I have a family of Red-tailed Hawks nesting in a tree near my back fence. They have a distinct, high pitched call, unlike any other bird common to Cotati. Last weekend, I was able grab my Nikon to capture this shot of a hawk resting on my back fence. This photo would not have been possible with an iPhone, a good camera is still a must.

I have always wanted a close-up of a Red-tailed Hawk, and now I have it. Yes they are trouble makers in the avian world, but they are beautiful birds.

Disclosure: Cotati doesn't really have an official bird, I just thought it needed one.

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Stefan Winter

Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV

Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Being the owner of an African Grey Parrot I think all birds are trouble makers, they have such attitudes! They are beautiful and amazing though.

I also agree with the camera, Nikon and especially Nikon SLR's are the way to go for amazing outdoor pictures but also real estate photography. They just capture light so much better then even the latest smartphones.

Jul 06, 2015 04:39 AM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

They really are beautiful birds. They frequent some of our golf courses here and you just know they are around by the squawking of the other birds.

Jul 06, 2015 05:18 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Stefan - I've known friends that have parrots and my, oh my!! I have a Nikon 3100 that I waited for, for a long time. It is great with real estate and they are so easy to use!

Jane - Everyday I will see angry crows diving on the hawks after a hawk did something "bad". It's quite the show! I had a hawk hanging on one of my rain gutters the other day, but wasn't fast enough with my camera.

Jul 06, 2015 05:33 AM

Dick Greenberg

New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO

Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Cynthia - Great shot and a wonderful raptor. We have them here in numbers - this one, also taken with a Nikpn, knocked himself silly diving on my cat who was inside lounging on a windowsill:

Jul 06, 2015 07:30 AM

LOL, Dick, that hawk wasn't particularly smart! Great photo, it is interesting how the colors are different ... the beak and the coloring mine has (yes, mine) above the beak. I'm sure there are different flavors of hawks everywhere. Thank you for sharing your photo!

Jul 06, 2015 08:03 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

We have Red Shouldered Hawks here in Bristow, VA. We have a nice hardwood in back of our house where we occasionally will see one perch. Such impressive birds.

Jul 07, 2015 10:58 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That Red Tailed Hawk seems perfectly content in Cotati! Come to think about it, I don't think Sacramento has an official bird. I need to look into that!

Jul 07, 2015 12:46 PM

I had to look up Red Shouldered Hawks, Chris Ann, they look similar to our Red-tailed hawks. Beautiful!

I was just kidding, Myrl, I thought Cotati needed an official bird, so I declared the Red-tailed hawk to have that honor. I don't think the mayor reads my blog :)

Jul 08, 2015 01:22 AM

Red-tailed Hawk - The official bird of Cotati, CA

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Cynthia Larsen

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