Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk? Here's How to Know the Difference
Telling the difference between Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) and Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) can be tricky.
These two birds of prey look alike, but if you pay attention to their size, shape, and behavior, you can spot the differences. First, some basic tips.
Quick Identification Tips
If you're unsure which hawk you're looking at, here are a few things to check:
- Larger bird with a rounded tail and smooth flight? That's likely a Cooper's Hawk.
- Smaller bird with a square tail and jerky flight? Probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
- Big-headed and powerful-looking? Cooper's Hawk.
- Small-headed and delicate? Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Size Differences
Size is one of the easiest ways to tell them apart. Cooper's Hawks are bigger, about the size of a crow. They range from 14 to 20 inches long, with a wingspan of 29 to 37 inches.
Sharp-shinned Hawks are smaller, closer to the size of a jay. They measure 9 to 13 inches long and have a wingspan of 17 to 27 inches.
However, female Sharp-shinned Hawks are bigger than males and can sometimes be mistaken for a small male Cooper's Hawk.
Body Shape and Features
Besides size, their body structure is different. Cooper's Hawks have larger heads that stick out past their wings in flight.
Their chests are broad, and their tails are rounded with a thick white band at the tip. Sharp-shinned Hawks have small heads that barely extend beyond their wings.
Their bodies are more slender, and their tails are squared off with a thinner white band.
Another noticeable difference is in their legs. Sharp-shinned Hawks have thin, delicate legs that look long and spindly compared to their body size.
Cooper's Hawks have thicker, more robust legs that appear sturdier and better proportioned to their larger frame. This difference is easiest to spot when the birds are perched.
Flight and Behavior
How they fly is another clue. Cooper's Hawks have strong, steady wingbeats and glide with their wings slightly pushed forward in a "C" shape.
They are often seen darting through trees or chasing birds near feeders. Sharp-shinned Hawks fly with quick, choppy wingbeats and take short glides.
Their flight looks more erratic and less smooth compared to Cooper's Hawks.
Head and Eye Position
Looking at the head can also help. Cooper's Hawks have bigger heads with well-defined yellow to red-orange eyes.
Sharp-shinned Hawks have smaller heads, giving them a 'bug-eyed" look. This difference is easier to see when the birds are perched.
Tail Shape
When perched, the shape of the tail can be a giveaway. Cooper's Hawks have rounded tails with wide black bands.
Sharp-shinned Hawks have squared tails with thinner bands. This small detail is a simple way to tell them apart.
Calls and Sounds
While their calls are similar, they have slight differences. Cooper's Hawks have a slower, lower-pitched "cak-cak-cak" sound.
Sharp-shinned Hawks have a higher-pitched, faster "kik-kik-kik." If you hear these calls while watching the bird, it might confirm your ID.
Habitat Preferences
Both hawks prefer wooded areas and sometimes visit backyards. Cooper's Hawks are more common in open woodlands, parks, and near bird feeders.
Sharp-shinned Hawks stick to dense forests but may appear in backyards during winter when they hunt songbirds.
Migration
Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate seasonally, with many traveling to the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America in winter.
While the Cooper's Hawk also migrates, most are permenant residents in the lower 48 as long food is available.
Conclusion
Telling Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks apart takes practice, but by looking at size, shape, flight, and behavior, you can get better at spotting the differences.
Next time you see a hawk in your yard, take a closer look, you might be able to tell exactly which one it is.
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