Accipiter cooperii

Description

This is a short-winged, long-tailed hawk. Females are distinctly larger than males. The tail is well rounded and broadly tipped with white. While in flight, they have stiff wing-beats.

Voice

A rapid kik, kik, kik.

Breeding

April to September

Habitat

They are found in mature forest stands, open woodlands, forest edges, and river groves.

Diet

The Cooper's hawk mainly eats birds and small mammals. Sometimes, it will eat amphibians (like frogs) and insects.

Range

They are found all throughout the United States, parts of Southern Canada and most of Mexico (where they winter).

Other Useful Information

Fall migration begins in early August and will end in November. Juveniles leave earlier than adults, by about a week, and females leave before males by a couple of days.

Similar Species

Sharp-shinned hawks are smaller (female “sharpies are of similar size to male Cooper’s hawks.