cooper’s hawk

1. Nombre del ave
Cooper’s Hawk, also known by its scientific name Accipiter cooperii.

2. Aspecto
The adult Cooper’s Hawk is a medium to large-sized raptor, with a broad, rounded wings and a very long tail with rounded edges – a key feature of this species. The head is large, with a black cap and a hooked beak. It possesses bright red eyes, while young birds have yellowish eyes. Females are typically larger than males. Generally, they appear blue-gray on top, and the underside is finely barred with a white background and darker lines. The long tail is striped with thin black and white bands.

3. Tamaño
Cooper’s Hawks have an average length of 35-48 cm (14-19 inches). In terms of wingspan, it can range anywhere from 62 to 90 cm (24.4-35.4 inches). The weight range is between 280 to 680 grams, with females typically heavier than males.

4. Hábitat y distribución
Cooper’s Hawks are found throughout North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They inhabit mainly forest and woodland areas, often near water bodies. However, they readily adapt to suburban and urban environments, especially where bird feeders are common.

5. Datos de interés
Cooper’s Hawks were once known as “chicken hawks” because they were considered a threat to poultry. They are also an exciting part of the urban ecosystem since they successfully adapted to city life. Interestingly, they are agile fliers that can maneuver through tight spaces and dense foliage to catch prey.

6. Dieta
The diet of Cooper’s Hawks consists mainly of birds, such as starlings, robins, and sparrows. They also eat small mammals like chipmunks, hares, and mice. Sometimes, they will consume reptiles and insects.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
Cooper’s Hawks employ what’s called “still hunting,” where they perch silently on a high vantage point then rapidly dive onto their prey. Their mating ritual involves a lot of aerial displays, including chasing each other in the air. The call of a Cooper’s Hawk is a cackling sound, usually repetitive and harsh.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the Cooper’s Hawk is currently listed as “Least Concern,” given its wide distribution and stable population size. While there was past decline due to persecution and pesticide use, the population has since rebounded.

9. Vida útil
In the wild, Cooper’s Hawks usually live up to 12 years, although there have been records of individuals reaching 20 years. Their longevity in captivity is not well documented but is generally believed to be slightly longer than their average lifespan in the wild.

10. Notas adicionales
Locally, the Cooper’s Hawk is also known as Taïaut in French and Gavilán de Cooper in Spanish. These birds play a vital role in controlling the population of smaller birds and mammals within their ecosystem. Furthermore, they are generally shy and try to avoid humans, although they have been known to defend their nests vigorously if they perceive a threat.