Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Cooper's Hawk photo

Identification

Adult: female approximately crow size, male slightly smaller; sexes similar in coloration patterns; Tail: long, slightly rounded with 3-4 bands; distinct white tip; Throat: light with brown streaking; Wings: underside light brown with brown or black barring on primaries and a distinct wide black band along trailing edge of secondaries; Breast and underside: cream or white, splotchy rust barring; Head: sometimes crest present; Eye: orange or red.

Immature: similar to adult; Underside: white with dark vertical streaking; Tail: indistinct bands of medium and dark brown; Eye: yellow.


Habitat

Found in upland hardwoods or mixed coniferous forest; will nest in urban/suburban locales. Nests: medium 18-26" in diameter in deciduous or coniferous trees. Typically observed hunting near bird feeders.

Range

Summer statewide; more common in south. Winter: southern 1/2 of state.

Cooper's Hawk range map

Call

sound file Audio recording not yet available



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