Skip to content
Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXXII
Field-journal plate: Cooper’s Hawk
The Cooper’s Hawk plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXXII

Cooper’s Hawk

Astur cooperii

Accipitridae · Taxon 1579017

Length37–45 cm (14.6–17.7 in)
Wingspan62–90 cm (24.4–35.4 in)
Weight220–680 g (7.8–24.0 oz)

Field marks

  1. Large head, broad shoulders, and long, lean body
  2. Short, broad, rounded wings with a very long, rounded tail
  3. Steely blue-gray upperparts and warm rusty-barred underparts in adults
  4. Dark cap contrasting with a paler nape; adult eyes red to orange
  5. Tail crossed by broad dark bands and tipped with white
  6. Dark hooked bill; yellow legs with strong black talons

HabitatForests, open woodlands, wooded edges, riparian groves, parks, and other tree-rich suburban habitats.

BehaviorDiurnal, usually solitary ambush predator; watches from concealed perches, then pursues birds and small mammals with rapid, agile flight through vegetation. Typical flight alternates a few stiff wingbeats with short glides.

Palette

steely blue-grayrusty redcharcoal blackwhiteyellow