Sharp-Shinned Hawk or Cooper’s Hawk?

Here's how to tell the difference

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

How to recognise a sharp-shinned hawk?

General appearance

The sharp-shinned hawk is approximately the size of a crow, measuring 10-14 inches and sporting a wingspan of 21 inches. Their coloration varies between a blue-gray on top and pale reddish hue below. They are characterized by their squared-off tail tip and small heads. Their legs are pencil-thin, and they exhibit a broad, rounded wing shape, with a long and square-tipped, notched tail.

Male vs female

While generally small, female sharp-shinned hawks can escalate to almost the same size as a male Cooper's Hawk. The size parody among the species sometimes makes a distinction in the field perplexing and demands expert birding skills.

Juvenile

Young sharp-skinned Hawks differ from adults in coloration, starting as brown above with striped markings below. Compared to young Cooper's Hawks, juveniles of this species may demonstrate more blurry streaking on their lower-body. Over time, these youthful streaks gradually give way to the monotone, pale reddish coloration of their underside observed in adulthood.

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.1 - 8.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Sharp-shinned hawks primarily inhabit mixed or coniferous forests and open deciduous woodlands. They often choose to nest in groves of coniferous trees within mixed woods or dense deciduous trees.

Additional range

In winter, they can be found in any forest or brushy area, avoiding open country. Also, they sometimes reside in pure coniferous forests with nearby brush or clearings.

Range Map

What do sharp-shinned hawks like to eat?

Natural diet

The sharp-shinned hawk primarily preys on small birds, focusing on species approximately sparrow-sized up to robin-sized, and occasionally up to quail-sized. Their diet is supplemented with small mammals such as rodents, bats, and squirrels. Reptiles and amphibians form a minor part of their diet, including lizards, frogs, and snakes. Additionally, large insects are sometimes consumed.

Bird feeders

Sharp-shinned hawks are known to visit backyard bird feeders, primarily to prey on the small birds that frequent these areas. They do not consume seeds or other typical bird feeder offerings but are attracted by the presence of potential prey.

What does a sharp-shinned hawk sound like?

The sharp-shinned hawk vocalizes with sharp, repeated "kik-kik-kik-kik" calls, often resembling chatter. It is also known for its shrill scream that usually follows a simple, flat, falling pattern. These distinct sounds enable this hawk species to communicate effectively within its habitat.

Call

Audio by G. McGrane

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Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

How to recognise a Cooper's hawk?

General appearance

The Cooper’s hawk is a medium-sized bird, about the size of a crow, or a mallard or herring gull. It measures between 14-20 inches in length with a wingspan of 28 inches. The adult Cooper’s hawk is blue-gray above and pale reddish below. The species overall has a broad rounded wing shape and a long, rounded tail shape.

Male vs female

Apart from the general size difference, there are not many distinct variations between male and female Cooper’s hawks. Both sexes are blue-gray above and pale reddish below. One slight difference is in the tail’s end: females may show a more rounded tip than males. They also sport a more contrasting dark cap.

Juvenile

Juvenile Cooper’s hawks are brown above and striped below. They differ from adults in their coloration as they lack the blue-gray and pale reddish hues. Their streakings are sharper and darker on a white chest. As they age, however, the juveniles will take on the mature, adults' blue-gray, and pale reddish coloration.

Size

13.4 - 20.1 in/9.7 - 23.5 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Cooper’s hawk primarily inhabits mature forests, open woodlands, and wood edges with tall trees, across coniferous, deciduous, and mixed woods. It often selects areas with both tree cover and nearby openings or edges.

Additional range

Besides, this bird species extends its range to river groves in open areas, and even into suburban and urban settings where tall trees are present. During the winter, it may be found in relatively open landscapes, especially in the west.

Range Map

What do Cooper’s hawks like to eat?

Natural diet

The Cooper's hawk primarily feeds on birds and small mammals. It mainly targets medium-sized birds, like robins, jays, and flickers, but also captures larger and smaller birds when available. In addition to birds, the Cooper's hawk's diet includes various small mammals such as chipmunks, tree squirrels, ground squirrels, mice, and bats. Occasionally, it may consume reptiles and insects as well.

Bird feeders

While Cooper's hawks do not typically consume the seeds or food from bird feeders, they may frequent areas with feeders to prey on the smaller birds that are attracted to these feeding sites.

What does a Cooper's hawk sound like?

The Cooper’s hawk exhibits a distinct vocalization characterized by a loud, repetitious 'cack-cack-cack-cack' sound. Its call pattern is flat and simple, typically emitted as chatter or a scream. This call is emblematic of its assertive communication style and is most often heard during territorial disputes or mating rituals.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sharp-Shinned Hawk

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Cooper’s Hawk

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

General appearance

Male vs female

Juvenile

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.1 - 8.4 oz

There's more to learn about Sharp-Shinned Hawk

View full details

Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

General appearance

Male vs female

Juvenile

Size

13.4 - 20.1 in/9.7 - 23.5 oz

There's more to learn about Cooper’s Hawk

View full details

How to tell the Sharp-Shinned Hawk from the Cooper’s Hawk

Visual differences

The Sharp-Shinned Hawk is smaller, measuring 10-14 inches with a 21-inch wingspan, compared to the Cooper's Hawk at 14-20 inches and a 28-inch wingspan. Sharp-Shinned Hawks have a squared-off tail tip, smaller heads, and pencil-thin legs, whereas Cooper's Hawks feature a rounded tail and more robust build. Sharp-Shinned juveniles are blurry streaked below, while Cooper's show sharp, dark streaks. Adult plumage is similarly blue-gray above and pale reddish below for both, but Cooper's has a darker cap and slightly more prominent contrasts.

Key differences and behavior

Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences. Sharp-shinned Hawks, being smaller, favor dense forests for nesting and hunting small birds, including those around bird feeders. They engage in dynamic aerial courtship displays and switch parental feeding roles as chicks mature. In contrast, the larger Cooper's Hawks thrive in mature woodlands or urban areas, targeting medium-sized birds with swift, high-risk pursuits known to sometimes result in injuries. Their courtship involves slower wingbeat flights, with males provisioning the females for extended periods before egg laying. While both species exploit bird feeders for prey, Cooper's Hawks, with their broader habitat range, prey on a wider variety of birds and mammals. Overall, Cooper's Hawks are adaptable, while Sharp-shinned Hawks are more reclusive and specialized in behavior and habitat choice.

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