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Cooper's Hawk
(also called chicken hawk, hen hawk, swift hawk, big blue darter)

Medium size very agile hawk inhabiting deep forested areas to subdivisions to backyards. Part of the accipiter family which includes the Sharp-Shinned Hawk and Northern Goshawk. Among the bird world's most skillful flyers.

Body length 15 inches to 19 inches; weight 8 ounces to 21 ounces; wingspan 27 inches to 39 inches.

Eye color is yellow to orange to deep red with age. Mouth is purple.

Lives in southern Canada to southern United States. Prefers patchy forests.

Favorite food is birds but will prey on small mammals; 95% of the Cooper's Hawk's diet is birds. Captures birds by feet and kills it with repeated squeezing. Experts in ambush and surprise attacks. Sometimes will kill prey by drowning.

Young Cooper's Hawks will stay up to 4 months with siblings and parents.