Cooper´s Hawk

The Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a hawk found from S Canada to N Mexico. It resembles in plumage to the Sharp-shinned hawk, but it’s larger, shorter wings, larger head and rounded tail. Dwells in high elevations and feeds on birds and mammals. Migrates singly, in direct flight (opposite to the migration of the Buteo).

♂: 41cm (16”), 350g. ♀: 46cm, 530g. Adults have a crown darker than back and underparts more finely barred than Sharp-sinned hawk. Iris red, bill black with gray base; cere and legs yellow. Young: Yellow iris, below more finely streaked than young Sharp-sinned.