Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Photos by Barry Wallace

Cooper's Hawk dines on Mourning Dove

Our backyard is a favourite spot for Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks to take down Mourning Doves, on the ground, below the bird feeders.   The Hawk pictured here, on this occasion, was a juvenile Cooper's Hawk.   It is about 4" longer than a similar-looking Sharp-shinned Hawk, and it is often tricky to tell them apart, unless they are side by side (almost never).   The Cooper's Hawk has one distinguishing feature however.   It is the white band at the tip of its tail (see photo at left, below - and at bottom).   'Sharp-shins' do not have that white band.

This juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk spent over an hour devouring its catch, before taking off with one small remaining morsel.    It should be full for a couple of days.

Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder