photo by Phil Swanson

Accipiter cooperii
L 14-20″(36-51 cm) W 29-37″(74-94 cm).

Song or calls:
Listen (NGPC audio)

Rapid “kek kek kek kek kek.”

Description: Distinguished from similar Sharp-shinned Hawk by a rounded, not squared, tail. Also larger than Sharp-shinned. Male is slate blue above, with rust-colored cross-barring below. Female is larger than male, and brown-blue above with rusty bars below. In adult, look for strong contrast between back and crown. Immatures brown above, with brown streaking below.

Food: Diet consists mainly of songbirds, and will occasionally take small mammals.

Habitat: Associated with mature deciduous forests.

Where in Nebraska: Uncommon winter visitor and spring migrant across the state. May be local permanent resident. Becoming a common breeder statewide in towns and woodlands.

Fun Facts: Cooper’s Hawks kill their prey by constriction unlike most hawk species who use biting as an effective killing method. They are often used as pigeon control in major cities.

(click image for larger view)