Cooper's Hawk

birds of prey · forest hunter · North America · super agile

Expert bird catcher. Cooper's hawks are built for chasing other birds through trees with short, rounded wings and a long tail that help them maneuver in tight spaces. They hunt medium-sized birds like jays and pigeons by surprise attacks.

Found everywhere. These hawks live across North America from southern Canada all the way down to Mexico, making them one of the most widespread hawks on the continent.

Medium-sized predator. Cooper's hawks are medium-sized birds of prey, smaller than red-tailed hawks but bigger than the tiny sharp-shinned hawk, their close relative.

Red-eyed hunters. Adult Cooper's hawks have distinctive red eyes that help them spot movement, and they develop dark gray backs and reddish-barred chests as they mature.