The term “Cooper hawk” refers to a medium-sized hawk that is native to North America. Cooper’s hawks are skilled hunters and are known for their speed and agility in flight. They are adept at navigating dense trees and vegetation in pursuit of small birds and mammals. The name “Cooper” comes from an early 19th century American naturalist named William Cooper, who is credited with discovering the species. The Cooper’s hawk scientific name is Accipiter cooperii.
Physical Description
Cooper’s hawks are crow-sized raptors with long tails and short, rounded wings. Adults have striking red eyes and barred underparts that help camouflage them in trees. Their upperparts are slate gray and they have a distinctive capped appearance with a rounded dark head contrasting with a pale nape.
Males and females have similar plumage but females are noticeably larger. Females measure 14-20 inches long with a wingspan of 24-35 inches. They weigh 7.8–24.0 oz. Males are smaller at 10-14 inches long with a wingspan of 21-27 inches, and they weigh 4.9-14.3 oz.
Some key identification features include:
- Long banded tail with rounded tip
- Short broad wings ideal for maneuvering
- Red eyes
- Pale nape that contrasts with darker head
- Orange-barred underparts
- Slate gray upperparts
Habitat and Range
Cooper’s hawks are found throughout most of North America. Their breeding range spans southern Canada through Mexico. They can be found year-round in the lower 48 United States.
These birds inhabit forests, woodlots and semi-open wooded regions. They are highly adapted to living in trees and are rarely found far from cover. Cooper’s hawks frequent deciduous and mixed forests as well as riparian woodlands along streams and wetlands. They sometimes hunt at backyard bird feeders when prey is abundant.
During migration and winter, Cooper’s hawks widen their habitat use to include urban and suburban areas. They make use of patches of trees, yards, and parks when moving through residential areas.
Diet and Hunting
Cooper’s hawks are opportunistic predators that hunt a variety of small birds and mammals. Ornithologists consider them to bebird specialists, meaning avian prey makes up the bulk of their diet. Some common prey items include:
- Songbirds
- Doves
- Woodpeckers
- Jays
- Robins
- Warblers
They also prey on chipmunks, squirrels, mice and rats when the opportunity arises.
These agile hawks hunt from concealed perches within trees. They make fast direct flights through dense cover to ambush prey. Cooper’s hawks rely on surprise attack and are capable of navigating tree canopies and branches with great speed and dexterity. They use their short broad wings and long tail to maneuver acrobatically in pursuit of prey.
Hunting peaks during the daytime hours when songbirds are most active. Cooper’s hawks migrate during the day which allows them to hunt for meals along their migration route.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season for Cooper’s hawks runs from March to July. They are monogamous and thought to mate for life, or if one dies they may find another mate.
During courtship, males perform dramatic dive displays and engage in aerial acrobatics to impress females. Once paired, the female builds a nest in a tall tree or crotch of a tree. Nests consist of a large platform of sticks lined with bark strips and foliage.
Females lay between 3-6 pale bluish eggs that are heavily marked with brown spots. Incubation lasts about 30 days and once hatched the young fledge at around 30-34 days old. The male assists with hunting to help feed the female while she incubates. Later both parents supply food for the nestlings.
Young hawks reach independence at 8 weeks but remain with parents for a period of post-fledging care and training that can last 4-10 weeks. Most Cooper’s hawks reach sexual maturity by age 2.
Conservation Status
Cooper’s hawk populations declined throughout North America during the mid 20th century due to pesticide use and habitat loss. The banning of DDT and enactment of protective regulations allowed Cooper’s hawks to rebound significantly.
They are now common in many areas, though urbanization continues to pose a threat. Cooper’s hawks are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. and Canada. They have an IUCN Red List classification of Least Concern.
Interesting Facts
- Cooper’s hawks are sometimes called “chicken hawks” due to their reputation for raiding poultry.
- These birds were named after William Cooper, an early 19th century naturalist who studied North American birds.
- Cooper’s hawks are known for their speed and agility in flight. They can fly up to 20 mph and quickly change directions.
- During courtship the male will present prey items to the female as part of mating ritual.
- Young Cooper’s hawks have yellow eyes that gradually change to red as they mature.
- Sometimes mixed pairs will breed where one mate is a Cooper’s hawk and the other is a sharp-shinned hawk.
Conclusion
In summary, the term “Cooper’s hawk” refers to a medium-sized, crow-sized hawk characterized by its swift flight through forests in pursuit of bird prey. Cooper’s hawks are adept hunters that specialize in ambushing songbirds, woodpeckers and other small avian species. They are found throughout North America in wooded regions where they nest and breed during spring and summer. Once threatened by pesticides, Cooper’s hawk populations have rebounded thanks to conservation measures. These adaptable raptors can sometimes be found hunting in residential areas, reminding us that powerful predators lurk even in the most urban environments.
