Cooper's Hawk

I have several bird feeders (for song birds) and water features in my back yard to entice birds to my yard. I have been very fortunate to have a plethora of chickadees, goldfinches, house finches and many others come and eat and play in the water.

I had an unwelcome visitor Thursday however .... a large bird swooped down into my yard. It then went flying up into a neighbor's tree and then down again to the other feeder on the opposite side of my yard. I looked closely to see if I could tell what it was. Oh my I was so surprised! I realized it was a hawk! I got my bird book out and identified it as a Cooper's Hawk. My book went on to say that these birds often use backyard feeders as a source of food.

My question is: what can I do to make it safer for the little guys and discourage the hawk from using my haven as a smorgasbord?

Thank you!

Your song bird's will need cover, (bushes/shrubs/thick evergreens) the hawk will still visit the feeder and occasionally take a bird, and if the SB's have good cover the Hawk may not visit as often. I have a Cooper's also, although he would rather have a Dove a House Sparrow or House Finch can be on the menu, its the success of the Hawk that keep's it coming back.