Cooper's Hawk
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Accipiter cooperii
The rounded tail tip of the Cooper's hawk distinguishes it from the sharp-shinned hawk. Like the sharp-shinned hawk, the Cooper's hawk also has a dark, blue-grey crown and back, and underparts are heavily barred with brown. lt is about 45 cm (18 in.) long.
The Cooper's hawk is quite uncommon throughout its range, which extends from southern Canada to Mexico. In Alberta, foothill and parkland zones host a small number of nesting pairs. Three to 5 eggs are laid in a bark or grass-lined depression in the nest. Nests are generally large, flat masses of twigs constructed in trees. Winters are spent in the southern portion of its range, occasionally southern Canada.
A fast and powerful predator, the Cooper's hawk watches from the edges of clearings or flies low over treetops in search of prey. The long tail provides maneuverability among branches, and the short, strong wing beats give it speed. Prey consists almost totally of small birds.
