Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

The Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized raptor native to North America, where it inhabits a diverse range of environments, from dense forests and woodlands to suburban areas and rural landscapes. Recognizable by its sharply defined features, this bird of prey boasts a sleek blue-gray back, barred reddish-brown chest, and a distinctively banded tail. Adults typically measure between 14 and 20 inches in length, with a wingspan ranging from 24 to 39 inches.

Renowned for their agile flight, Cooper's Hawks are skilled hunters, capable of navigating through dense canopy in pursuit of smaller birds and mammals, which constitute the bulk of their diet. Their keen eyesight and powerful talons make them formidable predators. During the breeding season, they build large nests high in trees, where pairs raise 3 to 5 young. Known for their intelligence and adaptability, Cooper's Hawks have become increasingly common in urban areas, where they have learned to exploit new hunting opportunities. This adaptability, coupled with ongoing conservation efforts, has contributed to the species' stable population throughout its range.