Sharp-shinned Hawk Versus Cooper’s Hawk
One of the most common tricky bird identification challenges that FeederWatchers face is is separating Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks. Both hawks are becoming increasingly more common at FeederWatch sites and, to the untrained eye, can appear very similar. This is why a recent interaction caught on camera by Cornell Lab of Ornithology staff member Jay McGowan piqued our interest.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk (left) chases a Cooper’s hawk (right). Photo by Jay McGowan.
It’s not often that one gets to see these two easily-confused species together! During the interaction in these photos, the Sharp-shinned Hawk mobbed the Cooper’s Hawk, much like you would often see a crow mob a raptor.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk (top) mobs a Cooper’s Hawk (bottom). Photo by Jay McGowan.
Seeing these two species juxtaposed next to each other allows us to really see some the features that distinguish them. Notice, first of all, the size-difference between the two. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is noticeably smaller in size than the Cooper’s. Next, notice the small head of the Sharp-shinned Hawk (almost comically small), which barely projects beyond the leading edge of its wings, compared to the large brutish head of the Cooper’s Hawk, which sticks out noticeably. Also take note of the spindly, pencil-thin legs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk next to the thick, stocky legs of the Cooper’s Hawk.
For those of you wondering why the Cooper’s Hawk is upside-down in the second photo: raptors that are being mobbed often try to scare away their harassers by flashing their outstretched talons. The easiest way to do this in mid-air is to perform a quick barrel roll to show off the weaponry. In this situation, the Sharp-shinned didn’t appear to be very intimidated!
Based on the above ID tips and our Tricky ID page, can you tell which of the hawks (from this same pair) is in this photo?
Which hawk is it? Photo by Jay McGowan (Click to view larger.)
For more tips on identifying these species, see our Tricky Bird ID page on Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. Check out All About Birds for more information on Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks.
This is an amazing entry. Thanks so much!
Good photos and identification tips, thank you!
Answers a constant source of “discussion” in our backyard! Thanks.
Is it the sharp-shinned? We have seen both of these in our yard, but it’s really helpful to have this entry! Great photography catches!
Great info; thanks!
It looks like the sharp shinned hawk in the picture.
Awesome captures!
Shape of wings as they curve into the neck look like a Cooper’s Hawk, but the size of the head makes it look like a Sharp-shinned. Would like to know which this one is.
Very helpful as both visit, especially in the Winter.
It seems from the image that the sharp shinned has a short tail versus a long one on the sharp shinned shinned, is this correct or is it the angle of the image?
Hi Kenneth,
The tail lengths do not differ much between the two species in relation to their overall body size.
Sharp shinned…is this correct…
Cooper’s?
Hi Everyone,
Anyone who guessed that the photo at the bottom was of a Sharp-shinned Hawk is correct! The giveaways are the small size of the head (barely passing the front wing edges) and the square tail. Note, however, that the shape of the tail can change easily in flight – so it’s not always going to appear square.
its the sharp shinned! and now I think I can say that we have a Coopers that has been hanging around our home for the last few years!
Sharp shinned hawk. From your apt description that it’s head is small and barely gets past the leading edge of the wing.
one way that may help to tell the difference : the end of a Sharp-Shinned’s tail is Square, a Cooper’s is rounded or Curved. Hence, s-s, c-c. this does not always work though because an older sharp-shinned’s tail can be worn from age and use and may become curved but it a good point to use along with other id clues.
Hi Ginnie,
This is often a good way to tell the difference between the two, but is not always reliable. As you noted, the tail can become worn throughout the season and the shape of the tail can change easily in flight – so Sharpies’ tails are not always going to appear square.
Telling these two is always going to be challenging, you hardly ever get the view and perspective you need for a sure fire ID. Great photos and post, should help. Thanks!
This is excellent! Thank you so much for helping us all to learn more about birds.
Love this article. I think this quandary will be settled from now on.
It looks like a Sharp Shinned because of the squared tail. They visit my bird feeders on a regular basis and I have had the opportunity to watch them chase and catch sparrows and house finches in mid flight. I have even been able to sit out on my deck and take photos of one stalking their prey. Awesome to be able to watch on you own backyard.
Wonderful shots! Thanks!
Thanks for this post! The photo showing the two hawks together is very helpful. I see accipiters in flight fairly often but have a hard time distinguishing them, unless they perch.
Very Helpful-great shot!
Thanks! Very helpful and awesome shots.
The past five years we’ve had the same pair of Cooper’s – twice with juveniles in tow – overwinter on our local golf course (in South Florida) picking off dozens of non-native ring-necked doves. We started seeing mourning doves returning this year as the number of aggressive ring-necks has dropped a bit. Thank you Cooper’s Hawks!
love it, great stuff, thanks.
we have a “hawk” in our neighbor hood now in, tampa florida, recently.
Coincidently, we went to this website to try and see if we could “I . D.” the type of hawk since we do,on occasion, have several in the area.
The Jury is still out but I have a good pair of filed glassess now and can zoom in on the differences. thanks,paul
Good to know. I’m sometimes wondering what I’m flapping my broom at when they are chasing my chickens. I think I can be far more certain now!
I just hope I can remember all those details when a hawk goes by at 60MPH
I just filmed a Coopers Hawk from indoors at about 20 feet away as it ate 1 of 3 pine siskins from our feeding area.