Morning Hunt. Cooper's Hawk and Gambel's Quail

Cooper's Hawk is an ambush hunter and in New Mexico, quail are favorite prey. This one has come up a hill and surprises a small covey feeding at the base of a stunted old juniper. Which quail will she get? Although quail can take off explosively and fly fast, the hawk is faster. Which ever bird ignores nearby junipers and tries to fly away will probably be breakfast. Source material video, photos, museum specimens, J.J. Audubon “Virginian Partridge”