MYSTERY BIRD

Today, I went to a Beginner Bird Watching Class.  Because I arrived early,
I was able to ask him if he could identify this bird, I saw on my
neighbor's roof.  I heard it first, & knew it was not our resident
Red Tail Hawk.  The teacher knew right away that it is a
COOPER'S  HAWK.  He said they are a raptor that will target song
birds at feeders.

Here are a few bits of info I learned:
-The most diverse areas, in the world, for birds, are the rain
forests.  The #2 area, is the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles 
County.  It has 7 different eco-systems where birds live..  The heir to
the Gillette razor company owned a huge ranch there, which it is now
parkland & open to the public.  Malibu State Park is also nearby.
-The best free bird identification APP is MERLIN BIRD ID
Even better, is IBIRD PRO, but it is $30 per year.
-Cornell University (US) has an excellent website: ALL ABOUT BIRDS.org.
-May & October are the best times to see migrating birds, here.
Sometimes birds will migrate UP to the cool mountains, in the summer.
-He recommended SIBLEY BIRD GUIDES.
-His binoculars are Nikon Monarch m5 8X42 that cost $250.
He likes them because they are not too heavy or bulky.
-Also, one of the best places to see water birds, is the park, close to my neighborhood, that has a pond.  

Let's go!