See all posts in the Birds of Carver County series
The Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) can be seen throughout the year in Carver County. Some are probably year-round residents, and others might be migrating south or returning north.
Found in broadleaf wooded areas and near our homes – especially those with bird feeders – adults and juveniles might perch openly on posts, fences and other very visible locations. It may be the most commonly seen backyard raptor in North America.
The species was named by Charles Lucien Bonaparte, the French naturalist nephew of Napolean Bonaparte. Its namesake, William C. Cooper, was a zoologist, rewarded for providing the bird that Charles used for his scientific study in 1828.
About the same size as a crow, it measures 16 to 20 inches in length, with a wingspan of 31 inches, and is recognized by its long tail with dark bands. The belly of gray adults is covered with orange horizontal stripes, while brownish juveniles have vertical dark streaks down their chests. Juveniles will also have different eyes (pale vs. red) and cheeks (brown vs. gray) than adults.
Males are one-third smaller than females, but the markings are the same. The shape of its neck, head and tail feathers can be used to differentiate the Cooper’s Hawk from its smaller look-alike cousin, the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Experts can tell the difference, but good visibility of flight characteristics, wing shape and experience are needed. Birding guidebooks with illustrations are helpful in studying their physical attributes.
The call of a soaring Cooper’s Hawk is often described as kek, kek, kek. Sometimes, they will give a single keeee. However, Blue Jays have learned to imitate this call to intimidate other birds or drive them away from food.
Cooper’s Hawks are raptors. Their claws and beaks are built for capturing and eating prey – usually smaller birds. Their long tail and relatively short wings provide them with aerial maneuvering skills to chase birds through trees. They will also soar over open areas looking for live food.
Similar to other predatory species, if they are seen perched, they might be “mobbed” by other birds and even squirrels with hopes of driving them away. If they are seen overhead, birds at feeders will quickly fly to cover. Sometimes, a pile of feathers on the ground will indicate one of the birds was not fast enough, and that a Cooper’s Hawk will live to see another day.
Breeding in Carver County, birdwatchers can watch the whole life cycle – starting in late winter when territories are claimed, spring brings pairing and mating displays in the air, males building the nest and feed prey to the female so she can feed their young, then seeing the different feather colors of immature Cooper’s Hawks in autumn.
Their year-round presence, different look of young hawks, and demonstrating nature’s food chain all combine to make the Cooper’s Hawk a unique and always interesting sighting.
For more information, see:
- The Sibley Guide to Birds, David Allen Sibley
- Reader’s Digest Book of North American Birds
- Birds of Minnesota, Robert B. Janssen
- Breeding Birds of Minnesota, Pfannmuller, Niemi and Green
- The Audubon Society’s Encyclopedia of North American Birds, John K. Terres
- Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Online: Cooper’s Hawk Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Interesting “Cool Facts” section.
- Online and Download: Cornell Raptor Identification Guide
