The Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized bird of prey native to North America and known for its incredible agility and hunting skills. They are a part of the accipiter family, which includes other agile woodland raptors such as the sharp-shinned hawk and the northern goshawk. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the Cooper’s hawk such an interesting bird:

Physical Description

Cooper’s hawks are medium-sized, slender birds with a body length of about 14–20 inches and a wingspan ranging from 24 to 35 inches. They typically weigh around 8–24 ounces, with females being larger than males. These hawks are characterized by their long tails with dark bands, rounded wings, and a hook-shaped beak. Their plumage is blue-gray on the back and pale underneath, with a red or rusty barring on the chest, and adults have striking red eyes.

Habitat and Range

Cooper’s hawks are widespread across North America, inhabiting a range of environments, from dense forests and woodlands to suburban and even urban areas. They are especially common in wooded areas with lots of tree cover, which helps them stay hidden while hunting. Because of their adaptability, Cooper’s hawks are increasingly seen in cities and residential neighborhoods, where they hunt small birds around bird feeders and use trees in urban areas for nesting.

Hunting Techniques

Cooper’s hawks are masterful hunters and are known for their stealth and agility. Their primary prey includes small to medium-sized birds (like doves, robins, and jays), though they also eat mammals like squirrels and rabbits. They use their sharp vision to locate prey, then dive quickly to capture it with their talons. They’re exceptionally agile in flight, capable of weaving through thick branches in pursuit of their target, and they typically kill their prey by squeezing it with their powerful talons.

Fun Facts About Cooper’s Hawks

1. Acrobatic Flyers: Cooper’s hawks are known for their exceptional flying skills. They maneuver through dense foliage with amazing speed and accuracy, a skill that is essential for hunting birds.
2. Stealthy Hunters: Sometimes called the “bird hawk,” they often hunt at feeders, preying on other birds. To capture these birds, they use a surprise attack method, making them one of nature’s most elusive predators.
3. Sexual Dimorphism: In many hawk species, females are larger than males, and this holds true for Cooper’s hawks. The size difference allows a pair to hunt different types of prey, reducing competition for food.
4. Red-Eyed Adults: While juvenile Cooper’s hawks have yellow eyes, their eyes turn red as they mature.
5. One of the “Chicken Hawks”: Although Cooper’s hawks rarely go after chickens, they were often labeled “chicken hawks” by farmers, leading to widespread hunting and persecution in earlier centuries.
6. Urban Adaptation: Cooper’s hawks have adapted remarkably well to urban environments, feeding on the abundance of pigeons, starlings, and other urban bird species.

Migration Patterns

Cooper’s hawks are considered partially migratory birds. While populations in the northern United States and Canada migrate south during the winter, many hawks from the southern U.S. are non-migratory and remain in their territories year-round. Their migration usually takes place in late September through early October for the fall migration, and March to early April for the spring migration. Migration distances vary, but most Cooper’s hawks do not migrate as far south as Central America, as some other raptors do.

During migration, Cooper’s hawks can often be seen in groups (known as kettles) with other hawk species, although they typically migrate alone or in smaller numbers compared to other hawks like the broad-winged hawk. They utilize thermal currents and updrafts from mountain ranges and ridges to conserve energy while covering long distances.

Conservation Status

The Cooper’s hawk population has rebounded significantly since the mid-20th century, when it faced declines due to habitat loss, hunting, and pesticide exposure (notably DDT). Today, they are considered a species of least concern, thanks in part to the banning of DDT and increased awareness of raptor conservation. Their adaptability to urban environments has also supported their population growth.

Cooper’s Hawk in Culture

The Cooper’s hawk is named after William Cooper, a 19th-century American naturalist. These hawks are often admired for their strength, agility, and adaptability and have been a subject of interest for birdwatchers and conservationists alike.