Coopers Hawk Vs Sharp Shinned Hawk: 5 Key ID Features to Spot the Diff

Q: What Habitats Do These Hawks Typically Occupy?

You’ll find these hawks in diverse habitats . They thrive in forests, woodlands, and urban areas . Look for them hunting in open spaces near tree cover. They’re adaptable, often nesting in coniferous or deciduous trees, depending on location.

Q: What Are Their Nesting and Breeding Behaviors?

You’ll find both hawks nesting in dense forests . They build stick nests high in trees, often reusing old sites. Females lay 3-5 eggs, incubating for about a month. Males provide food during this time.

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

When trying to distinguish between a Cooper’s hawk and a Sharp-shinned hawk, you’ll need to focus on five key features.

Cooper’s hawks are larger, with crow-sized bodies, while Sharp-shinned hawks are jay-sized. Head shape differs too: Cooper’s have blocky heads, Sharp-shinned have small, rounded ones.

Tail shapes vary, with Cooper’s showing rounded tips and Sharp-shinned square-tipped. In flight, Cooper’s appear more proportional, while Sharp-shinned seem unbalanced.

Plumage changes from juvenile to adult, but Cooper’s have vertical stripes, while Sharp-shinned show horizontal barring.

Key Takeaways

Size isn’t everything, but it’s a good starting point! Cooper’s hawks are the beefy bodybuilders of the duo, while sharp-shinned hawks could be their skinny gym buddies. Just remember, a female sharp-shinned might give a male Cooper’s a run for his money in the size department.
Head shape is the name of the game. If you spot a hawk with a head that looks like it’s been hitting the weights, you’re probably eyeing a Cooper’s. Sharp-shinned hawks, on the other hand, rock that smooth, rounded look – think "aerodynamic egg" and you’re on the right track.
Tails tell tales! Cooper’s hawks flaunt rounded tail tips like they’re showing off a fancy haircut, while sharp-shinned hawks keep it square and simple. It’s like nature’s version of "business in the front, party in the back."
In flight, these hawks are a sight to behold. Cooper’s hawks cut through the air like well-oiled machines, all grace and purpose. Sharp-shinned hawks? They’re the daredevils of the skies, zipping and zooming like they’ve had one too many espressos. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might just catch their aerial acrobatics!

Size Comparison

You’ll find Cooper’s Hawks are noticeably larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, with Cooper’s measuring 14-20 inches long (crow-sized) compared to Sharp-shinned’s 10-14 inches (jay-sized). However, size can be tricky as female Sharp-shinned Hawks can be as large as male Cooper’s Hawks, while female Cooper’s Hawks can be up to a third larger than males.

Cooper’s Hawk

You’ll find Cooper’s Hawks are no lightweights in the raptor world. These birds pack a punch, measuring around the size of a crow. Here’s what to look for:

Thick legs that pack power for gripping prey
Broad, rounded wings perfect for maneuvering through forests
Light-colored nape feathers, giving a distinctive capped appearance

Their flight style is graceful yet purposeful, with steady wingbeats. They prefer wooded habitats, where their size and agility give them an edge in hunting.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

You’ll find Sharp-shinned Hawks to be petite accipiters, roughly the size of a Blue Jay. Their small stature sets them apart from their larger cousin, the Cooper’s Hawk. When identifying these agile predators, keep an eye out for:

Compact body, about 10-14 inches long
Females up to a third larger than males
small, rounded head with eyes centered
Square-tipped tail with narrow white band

These woodland hunters excel at pursuing small birds through dense foliage, their size and agility perfect for the task.

Head Shape

Now that we’ve covered size, let’s focus on another essential feature: head shape. This characteristic can be a game-changer when distinguishing between Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Cooper’s Hawks sport a large, blocky head that’s hard to miss. Their light nape feathers create a distinctive capped appearance, setting them apart from their smaller cousins. On the flip side, Sharp-shinned Hawks have a small, smoothly rounded head that blends seamlessly with their body. Their dark nape feathers contribute to a more uniform look.

To help you visualize these differences, picture:

A Cooper’s Hawk with a head like a well-defined rectangle
A Sharp-shinned Hawk with a head resembling a compact marble
The contrast between light and dark nape feathers, like a cap vs. a hood

Mastering these head shape distinctions will boost your bird identification skills, bringing you one step closer to becoming a hawk-spotting pro. Remember, it’s all in the details!

Tail Shape

Moving from head shape, let’s focus on another key feature: tail shape. When identifying Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks, their tails can be a dead giveaway. Here are five important tail characteristics to look for:

Cooper’s Hawks have rounded tail tips with longer central feathers
Sharp-shinned Hawks display square-tipped tails with prominent corners
Cooper’s tails often show a broader white band at the tip
Sharp-shinned tails typically have a narrower white tip
Both species’ tails are relatively long compared to their bodies

You’ll notice Cooper’s Hawks’ tails are generally wider, while Sharp-shinned Hawks’ are more slender. As for coloration, adults of both species sport gray tails with dark barring. Juveniles, however, have reddish-brown tails. The tail’s shape and size play a significant role in these hawks’ agility, allowing them to maneuver through dense vegetation while chasing small birds. Remember, tail shape is just one piece of the ID puzzle!

Flight Appearance

Now that we’ve covered tail shape, let’s take to the sky and explore their flight appearance. Both Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile flyers, capable of chasing prey through dense vegetation. However, their flight styles differ in subtle ways:

Cooper’s Hawks appear more proportional in flight, with their larger heads projecting noticeably in front of their wings.
Sharp-shinned Hawks seem unbalanced, their small heads barely peeking beyond their wing edges.
Both species exhibit a distinctive flight pattern of quick wingbeats followed by short glides.

While these hawks are fast fliers, they’re not built for long-distance soaring like bald eagles or golden eagles. Instead, they’re masters of maneuvering through dense cover, making them formidable hunters. A Cooper’s Hawk can snatch a house wren mid-flight, while a Sharp-shinned might pursue its prey into a thicket. Their agility in flight is truly a sight to behold!

Juvenile Vs Adult Plumage

You’ll notice distinct differences in plumage between juvenile and adult Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Juveniles of both species have brown backs and chests with brown streaks, while adults develop blue-gray backs and orange barring on their chests, with the Cooper’s Hawk showing vertical stripes and the Sharp-shinned displaying horizontal barring.

Juvenile

When you’re trying to identify juvenile Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, focus on their chest markings. You’ll notice:

Sharp-shinned juveniles sport heavy, reddish streaks on both chest and belly
Cooper’s juveniles have thin, dark streaks confined to the upper breast
Cooper’s hawks display a crisp white lower belly, reminiscent of a Carolina Wren’s coloration

These distinctions in plumage can help you differentiate between these similar species, even when they’re young and tricky to identify.

Adult

As hawks mature, their plumage differences become more pronounced. You’ll notice adult Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks sport blue-gray backs, a stark contrast to their juvenile brown. Their chests transform too, with horizontal orange barring replacing vertical stripes. Here are key adult features to look for:

Cooper’s Hawks: larger size, blocky heads, and rounded tail tips
Sharp-shinned Hawks: smaller stature, smooth round heads, and square tail tips
Both species: lighter nape feathers, creating a "capped" appearance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to tell the difference between a Cooper’s hawk and a Sharp-Shinned?

Did you know Cooper’s hawks are 33% larger than sharp-shinned hawks? To distinguish them, look at the tail: Cooper’s have rounded tips, while sharp-shinned have square tips. Also, check the head shape: Cooper’s are blockier, sharp-shinned are smoother.

How do I identify a Cooper’s hawk?

You’ll spot a Cooper’s hawk by its crow-sized body, rounded tail tip, and large, blocky head. Look for thick legs, a tubular body, and adults’ blue-gray backs with orange barring on chests. They’re front-heavy in flight.

What is the difference between a northern Goshawk and a sharp-shinned hawk?

Goshawks gleam with greater grandeur. You’ll notice their larger size, broader wings, and longer tails compared to sharp-shinned hawks. Goshawks have distinctive white eyebrows and red eyes, while sharp-shinned hawks sport yellow eyes and lack prominent eyebrows.

What is the difference between a Cooper’s hawk and a northern Harrier?

You’ll notice Cooper’s hawks have broader wings and shorter tails, while northern harriers have longer, slimmer wings and tails. Cooper’s hunt in forests, whereas harriers glide low over open fields. Their hunting styles differ markedly.

What are their preferred hunting techniques and prey?

You’ll find Cooper’s hawks stalking birds at feeders, while sharp-shinned hawks prefer forest interiors. Both employ surprise attacks, but Cooper’s hawks often pursue prey on foot. They’re agile flyers, adept at maneuvering through dense vegetation to catch small birds.

How do their vocalizations differ?

Like a symphony of the skies, you’ll hear distinct melodies. Sharp-shinned hawks emit high-pitched "kik-kik-kik" calls, while Cooper’s hawks produce a deeper "cak-cak-cak." Their vocalizations reflect their size difference and hunting styles, helping you distinguish them.

What habitats do these hawks typically occupy?

You’ll find these hawks in diverse habitats. They thrive in forests, woodlands, and urban areas. Look for them hunting in open spaces near tree cover. They’re adaptable, often nesting in coniferous or deciduous trees, depending on location.

How do their migration patterns compare?

Birds of a feather may flock together, but their migration patterns differ. You’ll find Sharp-shinned Hawks migrating longer distances, while Cooper’s Hawks are more likely to be year-round residents in many areas. Both adapt their movements to food availability.

What are their nesting and breeding behaviors?

You’ll find both hawks nesting in dense forests. They build stick nests high in trees, often reusing old sites. Females lay 3-5 eggs, incubating for about a month. Males provide food during this time.

Conclusion

By mastering these five key features, you’ll become a hawk-eyed expert in distinguishing between Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks. Remember, size matters, but it’s not the only telltale sign.

Focus on head shape, tail tips, flight silhouettes, and plumage patterns to make accurate identifications. With practice, you’ll confidently spot the differences between these look-alike raptors.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a novice enthusiast, these tips will sharpen your skills in the ongoing "Cooper’s hawk vs Sharp-shinned hawk" identification challenge. Happy hawk watching!