Cooper's Hawk and Squirrel

[Jems1212]

I went into the kitchen and looked out the window to see a Cooper's Hawk and a Squirrel at a standoff. There was another squirrel and a cardinal nearby. I am not sure why the hawk didn't attack the squirrel. If you know, let me know.

 

[Bird Brain]

This is a juvenile Cooper's. and it's probably not confident enough to tackle a squirrel. I've seen them fly towards a squirrel and the squirrel would duck under the limb and come up behind the Cooper's, chatting away and fussing at it. The squirrel actually seemed to be enjoying the encounter!! I don't know that even an adult Cooper's would take on a squirrel. They might if they were very hungry and there was nothing else around, but I've never seen an adult Cooper's go after one.