Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii) Y |
 |
RANGE: Breeds from southern British Columbia and central Alberta
to southern Quebec and Maine south to Baja California, Mexico,
Louisiana, central Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Winters
from Washington, Colorado, and southern Minnesota to New England
south through the southern United States, to Costa Rica.
STATUS: Uncommon.
HABITAT: Inhabits various types of mixed and deciduous forests
and open woodlands including small woodlots, riparian woodlands
in dry country, open arid pinyon woodlands, and forested
mountainous regions. May use almost any type of habitat
containing trees or shrubs during winter and in migration.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Mature coniferous or deciduous
woodlands.
NEST: Usually nests in deciduous or coniferous trees near the
edge of a wooded area, with large open fields and water nearby.
Places nest from 20 to 60 feet above ground (usually 35 to 45
feet). Occasionally uses old crow nests.
FOOD: Hunts from inconspicuous perches, and catches its prey,
primarily birds, by surprise. Consumes medium-sized birds such
as thrushes, jays, starlings, and quail primarily but also takes
smaller birds and larger birds up to the size of ruffed grouse.
Also eats chipmunks, red squirrels, rabbits, other small
mammals, amphibians, and insects.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, DeGraff et al. 1980, Evans 1982,
Heintzelman 1979, Miller 1999, Jones 1979, Reynolds et al.
1982., Shunk 2004. |
