Bird Gallery Index
Cooper's Hawk (immature)image © Greg Lavaty
Family: (Accipitridae) Hawks and Allies
Preferred Habitat: Woodlands.
Seasonal Occurrence: Uncommon fall through spring.
Notes: Cooper's Hawks are a slightly larger, less common version of Sharp-shinned Hawks. Like "Sharpies", they are primarily woodland species. However, Cooper's Hawks may sometimes be found perched on roadside wires, something a Sharp-shinned Hawk almost never does. Adult Cooper's Hawks have slate-blue upperparts and cream-colored chests marked with rusty horizontal stripes. Juveniles have brown upperparts with streaky brown and cream breasts. In comparison with Sharpies, the heads of Cooper's Hawks seem larger in proportion to their bodies. Migrating Cooper's Hawks are best viewed in the fall at the Smith Point Hawk Watch
- Susan Billetdeaux
