Coopers Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

A widespread, medium-sized accipiter, found across lower Canada, plus the U.S.A. and northern Mexico, but is more common in western woodlands than in the east.  Closely resembles the smaller and more common Sharp-shinned Hawk.   Birder Kenn Kaufman says The 'Coopers' can be very elusive in heavily wooded country, but elsewhere it may come out in the open, especially in the west and southwest. 

Cooper's Hawks feed primarily on birds and small mammals.   The sexes are similar but the females are larger than the males.

Cooper's Hawks breed across southern Canada and throughout the United States.   They winter in central and southern states south to Central America.

'Kaufman' says adults are blue-gray above, pale reddish below and may show a more contrasting dark cap, whereas juveniles may show sharper dark streaking on white breast.

The National Geographic Society says 'Coopers'  "...are uncommon and may be declining".  

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BarrytheBirder