Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

This group of hawks have comparatively long tails, and short, rounded wings. They have greater agility and maneuverability for flight in woodlands. They fly with several quick wing beats and a glide. Accipiters feed mainly on birds and small mammals. Females are much larger than males.

Description:

Cooper’s Hawks are about the same size as crows. They have a long tail, rounded at the tip, banded black and white, with white terminal tail band. The back is blue-gray with a rusty breast. Short wing length at 14-20 inches. They have a wingspan of 27-36 inches.

Voice:

Loud, repeated kek-kek-kek-kek-kek call given during alarm.

Food:

Hawks in this group prey primarily on songbirds, some small mammals. During breeding season it has regular feeding routes.

Nest:

They build a platform nest of sticks lined with bark. Nest can be found in trees 10-70 feet above ground. Eggs: 3-6 pale blue-green, rarely spotted.

Habitat:

You can find them in broken woodlands, stream sides, groves.

Range:

Throughout the United States.

Comments:

May be seen perched on telephone poles, unlike the Sharp-Shinned hawk.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Grey

3/10/21/ok