order : Falconiformes Genus & Species : Accipitridae Family : Accipiter cooperii
The Cooper’s hawk is 1 of 50 species in the genus Accipiter. The Cooper’s hawk preys on small birds and mammals, often hunting from a perch or flying around the edges of a forest clearing before pouncing on its victim.With its long tail and short, rounded wings, the Cooper’s hawk flies swiftly as it darts through the trees in pursuit of prey. They found in much of North America, including British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and the U.S.; south through Mexico and Costa Rica to Colombia in South America.
Habitat : The Cooper’s hawk choose deciduous and coniferous forests dotted with meadows and clearings. North America be the place where the hawk inhabits close to water. Excess part of farmland be also favorite place, since here they got chance to capture domesticated fowl. In October, some populations of the Cooper’s hawk migrate to New England and farther south to Costa Rica and Colombia. The main migration northward to the breeding woods occurs in March.
Food & Hunting : The Cooper’s hawk hunts always by waiting on its perch until it spots its prey, usually prefer small size birds or small mammals like chipmunks. It surprises its victim by swooping down silently, then striking with its talons; it has sometimes been known to bring its captured but still-living prey to a watering hole and drown it. When pursuing birds, this hawk flies swiftly while darting through the trees. The Cooper’s hawk regurgitates pellets containing indigestible material, such as bones and fur.
Behavior : The Cooper’s hawk makes loud like cack-cack-cack . But it make a piercing call, if felt danger nearby. The bird is able to dart and dash through the woods with great ease, twisting and turning through the branches. Its short, round wings and long, narrow tail are suited for complex maneuvers that is rapid circling while flapping and gliding.
Breeding : Males always wait for a mate and when a female arrives, the male feeds her. Both sexes perform courtship displays, usually flying with wings lifted high. They also sings melodious duets, approximate up to an hour at a time.The male selects area to build nest each year where the female lays 3–6 (usually 4–5) eggs. The female incubates alone for 30–34 days and remains very close to the chicks for the first few weeks. Chicks are born with soft, white down. Within 27–30 days, the birds are ready to fly from the nest.
Food & Hunting : The Cooper’s hawk hunts always by waiting on its perch until it spots its prey, usually prefer small size birds or small mammals like chipmunks. It surprises its victim by swooping down silently, then striking with its talons; it has sometimes been known to bring its captured but still-living prey to a watering hole and drown it. When pursuing birds, this hawk flies swiftly while darting through the trees. The Cooper’s hawk regurgitates pellets containing indigestible material, such as bones and fur.
Behavior : The Cooper’s hawk makes loud like cack-cack-cack . But it make a piercing call, if felt danger nearby. The bird is able to dart and dash through the woods with great ease, twisting and turning through the branches. Its short, round wings and long, narrow tail are suited for complex maneuvers that is rapid circling while flapping and gliding.
Breeding : Males always wait for a mate and when a female arrives, the male feeds her. Both sexes perform courtship displays, usually flying with wings lifted high. They also sings melodious duets, approximate up to an hour at a time.The male selects area to build nest each year where the female lays 3–6 (usually 4–5) eggs. The female incubates alone for 30–34 days and remains very close to the chicks for the first few weeks. Chicks are born with soft, white down. Within 27–30 days, the birds are ready to fly from the nest.
Beak : The beak is sharply hooked for tearing meat into bite-sized pieces.
Eyes : The color of the hawk’s eyes change as the bird matures — from gray, to yellow, to red. During breeding season, both sexes develop a yellow ring around the eyes.
Wings : The short, rounded wings enable the hawk to twist and dart through the branches of trees when pursuing prey.
Feet : The feet have long, curved talons designed for grasping and killing prey.
Juvenile : The young Cooper’s hawk develops immature plumage at 30 days, which camouflages it in the forest.
Eyes : The color of the hawk’s eyes change as the bird matures — from gray, to yellow, to red. During breeding season, both sexes develop a yellow ring around the eyes.
Wings : The short, rounded wings enable the hawk to twist and dart through the branches of trees when pursuing prey.
Feet : The feet have long, curved talons designed for grasping and killing prey.
Juvenile : The young Cooper’s hawk develops immature plumage at 30 days, which camouflages it in the forest.
Weight : Female 14–22 oz.; male 8–11 oz.
Length : 14-20"
Wingspan : 35-39"
Sexual Maturity : 1-2 years
Breeding Season : February –July
Length : 14-20"
Wingspan : 35-39"
Sexual Maturity : 1-2 years
Breeding Season : February –July
The Cooper’s hawk can attain flight speeds of up to 55 mph, especially when in hot pursuit of prey such as small birds.
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