Hawk Loose In Library Of Congress (VIDEO)

There's no talking allowed in the library, but what about... flying? A Cooper's Hawk, not so cleverly dubbed "Cooper," flew into the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress a few days ago, and seems content to stay among the books.

Cooper may have entered the world's largest library through an open window high in the building. A patron first spotted the bird when glancing up at the 160-foot high domed ceiling. Staffers tried to coax Cooper down with an iPhone app playing the Cooper Hawk's bird call, but the bird didn't fall for it. They have now called in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and they are debating a plan of action.

Cooper appears to be in good health, and according to the Library of Congress blog, "It's not ruffling our patrons' feathers, and they aren't bothering it either."

WATCH the hawk fly around the library:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Comments

[Tara Wright]

01:31 PM on 01/26/2011

I hope she makes it out before she starves to death. How long can a hawk go without eating/drinking?

[PlayTOE]

03:47 PM on 01/26/2011

The Hawk will find lots of mice and other food in the library.
Starvation will not be a problem.

[birdlady5]

11:27 AM on 01/26/2011

I hope he can find his way out again!

[doodlebug2]

10:34 AM on 01/26/2011

all I can say is "cool"

[WendyPinNJ]

04:06 PM on 01/25/2011

Did they REALLY think the bird was going to fall for the iPhone app? Seriously? Birds aren't stupid! She was probably sitting up in the dome laughing at them!

She's gorgeous. Hopefully she finds her way back outside soon!

[sakredkow]

08:27 AM on 01/25/2011

I had a hawk crash through the glass door into my breezeway last fall. My breezeway's considerably smaller than the Reading Room in the LoC. Eventually he found his way out but not before breaking windows. The amazing thing was he appeared to be okay after his 30 minute visit.
http://phxtalk.blogspot.com/2010/10/visitor-yesterday.html

[desertdreamer]

07:53 AM on 01/25/2011

In some belief systems, the unusual appearance of animals means that they have come to give us messages. Hawk tells us to "beware" or to "be aware." Hmmmmmmm?

[kellybob]

07:42 AM on 01/25/2011

a few minor hawk droppings ain't so bad. like the old lady says, "You always gotta put up with something"...and maybe a high water dish cause u know there's mice in there...

[Montcalms Revenge]

06:17 AM on 01/25/2011

I heard he checked out one book: "The Falcon and the Snowman"... ;-)

[RedDogBear]

10:36 AM on 01/25/2011

A Cooper's Hawk would actually be very offended at being confused with a Falcon. Silly humans, we all look alike to you.

[Montcalms Revenge]

10:47 AM on 01/25/2011

Assuming a hawk could read.... OK maybe his favorite character is Hawkeye from "The Last of the Mohicans"... how's that? LOL!

[rbergen]

05:56 AM on 01/25/2011

I did a lot of my research in the reading room in the past. Somehow the bird fits right into the beautiful design of the place. If it could be "house broken" I'd keep it there ;-)

[keemia]

04:08 AM on 01/25/2011

Since Thursday? That poor bird is thirsty as hell. I hope they don't let it sit there too long.

[JScott]

03:56 AM on 01/25/2011

As some have mentioned. Not bothering anyone until of course, some one or something gets pooped on. Good case for window screens?

[fleetmoon]

03:49 AM on 01/25/2011

Leave him alone!

Knowledge is for everyone, not only library rats.

[Morgenstern]

03:11 AM on 01/25/2011

What this bird did is nothing short of terrorism

[kersho]

02:20 AM on 01/25/2011

Just how they are going to WHAT? WHAT? Kill it? Bring it down? capture it? I am lost! Don't cut stuff short like that!

[camanokat]

01:54 AM on 01/25/2011

I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. The local supermarkets (QFC & IGA), Costco and Walmart keep the doors open too long. One grocer, Haggen, only closes the door during power outages; it's open 24/7. Birds show up regularly inside the stores. Somehow, the bird poop hasn't shown up yet (that I have seen).