I observed the bathing habits of a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), assumed from field marks to be a male, in the North Phoenix Mountain Preserve area, Arizona, over the past 4 years from September through March. Daily between 0800 and 1000, the hawk visited a shallow stone water catchment (56 cm x 36 cm x 7.5 cm) in an otherwise dry desert wash. I had an excellent view using a 20-power scope at a distance of about 60 meters.
Usually, the hawk took several drinks, then stepped into the water and stood there with the feet and legs partially immersed. The time spent standing in the water varied from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. It would pick up each foot and carefully clean the scales on the tarsi and toes with its mandibles, also giving close attention to the claws. After cleaning, the hawk inspected its feet, including turning them over to examine the undersides.