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Astur cooperii
A crow-sized woodland hawk with a large, blocky head that projects well ahead of the wings in flight.
Big, block-shaped head that pushes well past the leading edge of the wings when gliding
Tail tip rounded, with a broad white terminal band
Dark cap contrasting against a paler nape, giving a 'capped' look
Sturdy legs and a body roughly crow-sized
Woodlands, forest edges, leafy suburbs, and city parks across much of North America.
Bursts from cover with a few stiff flaps and a long glide, hunting birds around woodland edges and feeders. Increasingly common in towns and suburbs.
Sharp-shinned hawks are smaller with a small head that barely projects, a squared tail tip, and a hooded rather than capped head. Sizes overlap — a large female sharp-shinned can approach a small male Cooper's.
Watch from a distance and never linger near a nest. If a hawk is hunting a feeder, pausing feeding for a week or two is the usual advice rather than intervening.
No danger to people, though a bird defending a nest may stoop close. Injured raptors should be handled only by a licensed rehabilitator.
Populations recovered strongly after the decline of DDT-era pesticides and the species has adapted well to suburban life.
Sources are linked below. Field marks vary with age, sex, season, region, light, and viewing distance.
Ardea herodias
North America’s largest heron, a patient hunter with broad wings and a daggerlike bill.
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Turdus migratorius
A familiar thrush that hunts on lawns and sings clear, rising and falling phrases.
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Zenaida macroura
A slender tan dove known for a long pointed tail, soft cooing, and whistling wings.
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