| Sharp-shinned (Accipiter striatus) and
Cooper’s (Accipiter cooperii) hawks commonly prey on feeder birds, and they
are frequently reported by FeederWatchers. Despite their common occurrence, these hawks
present a significant identification problem for many beginning and intermediate (and even
more advanced!) birders. Throughout the year, there is great variation in plumage and in
size for these two species. Therefore, perhaps more than any other similar-looking pair,
no single field mark is likely to distinguish one species from the other. Instead, the
careful observer must use a combination of field marks and draw from the overall
"gestalt" of the hawk for proper identification. No field guide will substitute
plenty of practice in the field for this pair. |
|
A small, jay-size hawk (avg. 10-14" long), with dark gray
back, a rusty-barred breast, a slender square-tipped tail. |
A medium crow-size hawk (avg.14-20" long) with a dark
gray back, a rusty-barred breast, dark cap, and a long, rounded tail.
|
Photo by Bill Diedrich
Above, adult:
sexes are similar, but female is larger in size
|
Photo by William Kendall
Above, adult:
sexes are similar, but female is larger in size |
- SIZE: Similar to a jay
or a dove. Female is larger and can be similar to smaller Cooper's.
Therefore, size often unreliable. -
BODY SHAPE: Broad chest and narrow hips lend
the bird a more regal appearance...center of gravity is often high
- LEGS:
Thinner, pencil-like legs compared to Cooper's.
- TAIL:
Tip of long tail is square, showing prominent corners. The outer tail
feathers are usually the longest (or nearly so). Don't mistake thin white terminal band
with grey above as the "broad white band" of Cooper's. Note: tail tip of soaring
bird appears rounded.
- HEAD
FEATHERS: Feathers on crown and back of neck are dark,
giving the bird a "hooded" appearance.
- SOARING:
Short rounded wings are pushed forward at the wrists, so that the small
head barely extends past the wings.
- FLIGHT:
Typically flies with several quick wingbeats followed by a short glide.
When compared to the Cooper’s Hawk, the Sharp-shinned’s wing beasts are erratic,
more difficult to count. |
- SIZE: Slightly larger
than most Sharpies, similar to a crow.- BODY SHAPE:
Broad chest and thick body lend the bird a thicker,
"scrappy" appearance. Thick, tubular body has a lower center of gravity than
Sharpie.
- LEGS:
Thicker than Sharpie.
- TAIL:
In fresh fall plumage, its long tail is rounded at the tip with a broad
white band. The middle tail feathers are usually the longest.
HEAD
FEATHERS: Feathers on crown are black and feathers on
back of neck are pale, giving the bird a "capped" appearance.
Feathers on back of head often raised, giving it a crested look. (This is never
seen on the Sharpie.)
- SOARING:
The large, angular head projects far beyond the wings giving the bird a
cross-like appearance. Extended tail appears proportionally longer than Sharpies, though
this feature is often too subtle to detect.
- FLIGHT: Often
flies with slower wing beats followed by a short glide. The slower,
regular wing beats are easily counted when bird flies overhead. |
