Bird of the Week: Cooper’s Hawk

This common woodland hawk can be found in the lower half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula year-round, and some may migrate farther north into the Upper Peninsula during the summer months. Cooper’s hawks are similar to sharp-shinned hawks in coloration with a grey back and dark bands on their tails but can be distinguished by their larger size and rounded tail feathers, rather than a squared-off tail. These stealthy predators eat smaller mammals and birds, often catching feeder birds off-guard. They will ambush their prey, darting into bushes or quickly flying using their short wings to maneuver easily between trees. This physical trait makes them a very skilled flyer, both in their natural habitat and as they’ve adapted to living in urban and suburban areas. To learn more about this bird of prey, visit https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/overview. Happy birding!