Cooper's Hawk
A migratory raptor of Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean
Cooper’s Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
Gavilán de Cooper, Gavilán pajarero, Gavilán pollero, Camaleón, Gavilán pechirufo mayor.
Identification: Medium size, with short, rounded wings, and long, rounded tail. Adults have blue-grey upperparts and white underside with rufous barring. Juveniles are brown above and white below with streaked chest. It has a larger head than sharp-shinned hawk.
Migratory behavior: Strong and direct flight alternated with deep fast flaps and short glides. Solitary flyer, but occasionally soars with other raptors using thermals. Flaps slower than sharp-shinned hawk.
Remarks: A common accipiter in North America with breeding populations in the highlands of Mexico. Fairly common winter resident from Mexico to Honduras, but uncommon elsewhere.