General full textA sleek and agile bird of prey found across North America. Known for its sharp hunting skills and striking appearance, this medium-sized hawk thrives in diverse habitats, including forests, woodlands, and even urban areas. It has adapted remarkably well to living near humans, making it a fascinating subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
One of the most distinctive features of the Cooper’s hawk is its elegant body design. Adults have bluish-gray backs and wings, and rusty red and white barred chests. Their rounded tails, banded with dark stripes, are long and provide excellent balance and maneuverability during flight. Their sharp, hooked beak and piercing red or orange eyes give them a fierce and focused look, befitting their predatory lifestyle. Juveniles, however, look different, sporting brown plumage with streaky undersides and yellow eyes.
This hawk is a masterful hunter, using stealth and speed to catch its prey. Its diet consists mostly of medium-sized birds, such as pigeons, doves, and starlings, but it also preys on small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks. The Cooper’s hawk is known for its ability to weave skillfully through dense trees, surprising its prey with sudden bursts of speed. Once it spots a target, it launches a swift, calculated attack, often capturing its meal in mid-air or chasing it down with relentless determination.
The adaptability of the Cooper’s hawk is one of its most remarkable traits. While it prefers wooded areas, it has also learned to thrive in suburban and urban environments, taking advantage of the abundance of prey like city pigeons and backyard songbirds. This adaptability has helped the species recover from population declines in the mid-20th century caused by pesticide use, particularly DDT, which weakened their eggshells.section
Distribution
Belize
Bermuda
Canada
Colombia
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
United StatesAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
