This fast flying, medium-sized hawk is a master at ambushing birds and other prey animals. Cooper’s Hawk’s sleek build and long tails allow them to maneuver easily through forests and brush in pursuit of their next meal. Their long, banded tails, reddish-barred bodies with blue-gray backs, and a pronounced brow over their red to orange eye are key to their identification. They are very similar to their slightly smaller cousin, the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). Juveniles of both species have brown and white streaked breasts and yellow eyes. Cooper’s Hawks tend be larger overall (thicker build, bigger legs, etc.), with a more rectangular head and slightly more pronounced neck than Sharp-shinned Hawks. The identification of both these species still stumps many regular birders, so don’t give up on trying!
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