ASL STEM

Definition

The Cooper's Hawk is a crow-sized accipiter that occurs in southern Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. One of three North American Accipiters or “bird hawks,” the Hawk is larger than the Sharp-shinned Hawk and smaller than the Northern Goshawk. Like other members of the genus Accipiter, the Cooper’s is well-adapted to forested habitats. The species has short, rounded wings, and a long tail, features that enable it to maneuver adeptly and to hunt in areas of dense cover. These Hawks are secretive during the breeding season, and individuals are most easily observed on migration. Historically, raptors were labeled as “good” or “bad” depending on their dietary preferences, and North America’s three Accipiters were considered bad hawks. In the past, many people kept free-range chickens that made them vulnerable to predation, and these Hawks were a threat to poultry. The more conspicuous Red-tailed Hawk was often blamed for the more secretive Cooper’s Hawk’s predation.

Source: Hawkmountain.org