Cooper’s Hawks are a widespread bird of prey that’s fast, powerful, and bold. They have a long history of living and hunting near humans. Along with other species like the Red-tailed Hawk, they’re one of the most recognizable and frequently spotted birds of prey in North America. Here are 16 interesting facts about Cooper’s Hawks.
16 facts about Cooper’s Hawks
1. How do Cooper’s Hawks hunt?
Cooper’s Hawks are aggressive and bold. They use many different methods when hunting, depending on the prey. Sometimes they chase aerial prey, following every twist and turn with stunning agility. Other times they attack in short, direct flights, and still other times they chase they prey through thick vegetation, pursuing relentlessly.
2. Where do Cooper’s Hawks live?
Cooper’s Hawks can be found throughout most of North America. They range from coast-to-coast, as far north as central Canada and as far south as Guatemala. They are one of the most widespread birds of prey in North America, with the ability to live in a wide range of climates.
3. What do Cooper’s Hawks eat?
Birds are the Cooper’s Hawk’s favorite food. So much so that for much of American history they were known as chicken hawks. Medium sized birds are preferentially targeted over small birds, and chickens make an easy meal for them. Bats are also a common prey item, and the hawk’s speed and agility make it relatively easy for them to catch bats- some hawks experience a 90% success rate when hunting bats.
4. How common are Cooper’s Hawks?
The Cooper’s Hawk has a stable population, and is considered quite common. Since they live throughout the Continental U.S. and large portions of Canada and Mexico they’re one of the most commonly spotted birds of prey. They can frequently be found in suburban areas and rural towns.
5. What kind of habitat do Cooper’s Hawks like?
Their ideal habitat is woodland, and thick woodland at that. They readily adapt to more open suburbs, though, and they’re a common sight around parks, athletics fields and quiet neighborhoods.
6. How do I attract Cooper’s Hawks?
Simple- put up a bird feeder. Cooper’s Hawks prefer to eat birds, so attracting more birds to your yard is likely to attract a hawk or two. If you have a backyard chicken coop, you’re virtually guaranteed to see Cooper’s Hawks from time to time.
7. How fast can a Cooper’s Hawk fly?
Cooper’s Hawks can fly at high speed, often cruising at over 50mph. Their top speed is difficult to measure, since they typically hunt while flying through dense vegetation. In fact, many adult Cooper’s Hawks show evidence of numerous bone fractures in their chest and wings that result from striking trees and bushes at top speed.<