Sharp-shinned Hawk vs Cooper's Hawk Identification
Let me guess, some hawk just killed a feeder bird, and you are determined to identify the culprit! Learn to identify these two accipiters here!
I have held onto this article on accipiter identification for far too long. Why? It is a challenge! Curating the media, selecting the most helpful tips, and creating effective quizzes are quite the undertaking, and I try to only create content that is worthy of your time!
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Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk Identification when perched - Adult Hawks
Cooper's Hawk Identification Tips
Size - This is the least reliable identification tool when separating the Cooper's Hawk from the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Many bird lovers attempt to use it, but the overlap between female Sharp-shinned Hawks and male Cooper's Hawks, plus different subspecies sizes, make size a near impossible ID tool.
Tail - Birders often cite the rounded vs square tail identification tip, however, this is more useful when the bird is in flight and has a spread tail. When perched, use the graduation of the tail feathers to aid in the identification of the Cooper's Hawk, as highlighted in the next photo of these two backyard hawks.
Head - The head of the Cooper's Hawk is blocky, bulky, and overall more square-ish, but the posture can change this appearance in the field. Be careful when only using the head shape to identify a Cooper's Hawk. Consider the hawk's posture.
Body - The Cooper's Hawk has a barrel-chested body shape. It is thick, top-heavy, and offers a robust appearance. Posture, again, can affect this appearance, but it is still fairly reliable. Combine this with another tip presented here.
Nape - The nape (or hind neck) of the Cooper's Hawk is pale and contrasts with the slate-colored crown. If the bird is facing you, it can be difficult to see the nape.
Toes - If you have a proper view, the Cooper's Hawk toes are bulkier than the thin, long toes of the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Identification Tips
Size - While Sharp-shinned Hawks are, on average, smaller than Cooper's Hawks, as stated above, this is not a reliable trait to use.
Tail - When perched, the tips of the tail feathers of the Sharp-shinned Hawk are closer to even in length. There may be small amounts of graduation, but it is not nearly as much tail feather graduation as seen in Cooper's Hawks. See the next photo with red lines denoting these identification tips.
Head - The head of the Sharp-shinned Hawk is more rounded and petite, and is much closer to the body size of the hawk. See the vertical lines comparing head to body size in the next photo.
Body - The Sharp-shinned Hawk is dainty and more evenly proportioned than the Cooper's Hawk. The Sharp-shinned has a more teardrop shape overall when considering it next to the Cooper's Hawk.
Nape - The nape of the Sharp-shinned Hawk does not contrast with the cap. It is a solid color from cap to back, quite the difference from the Cooper's Hawk.
Toes - The toes, especially the middle toe, of the Sharp-shinned are far daintier, or thinner, than the Cooper's Hawk. See the noted photo below.
We are gonna need a bigger camera. These hawks are no joke.
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Comparison of Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk - Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (and tail)
Four vertical lines - These lines help accentuate the difference in the head versus body size in Cooper's vs Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Toe lines - Note the toe size and length. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has long, thin toes.
Tail graduation - The Cooper's Hawk has a noticeable amount of tail graduation when compared to the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk Identification by head - Adult Hawks
Sharp-shinned Hawk Head ID
Bill - The bill of the Sharp-shinned Hawk protrudes far less, and has significantly much less height.
Eyes - The eyes of the Sharp-shinned Hawk often appear large and bulging.
Appearance - The combined traits of a small bill and large eyes give the Sharp-shinned Hawk a bug-eyed and almost goofy appearance when compared to the stern appearance of the Cooper's Hawk.
Cooper's Hawk Head ID
Bill - The bill of the Cooper's Hawk protrudes further on its face, and also has a significantly greater bill height.
Eyes - The eyes of the Cooper's Hawk can appear smaller in comparison to its overall head size.
Appearance - The combination of bill and eyes often gives the appearance of the Cooper's Hawk looking through its bill instead of over it, as we typically see in Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also, the smaller eyes, paired with a strong lacrimal (the bone over the eye), create the stern or really flocking angry appearance.
You are going to look real fly in these.
Wait, no.
You are going to look real good at flyby hawks in these.
See our full guide to binoculars here!
Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk Identification by head - Juvenile Hawks
Guess what? Structure does not change much as birds age. So, using the clues from above can still separate these two hawks. Ignore the colors, focus on the structure. And yes, this next section is identical to the previous section. I just added the words "juvenile and immature" for structure's sake. Really, how many ways can I rewrite these tips? I'm not a magician. Pfft.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Juv Head ID
Bill - The bill of the juvenile and immature Sharp-shinned Hawk protrudes far less, and has significantly much less height.
Eyes - The eyes of the juvenile and immature Sharp-shinned Hawk often appear large and bulging.
Appearance - The combined traits of a small bill and large eyes give the juvenile and immature Sharp-shinned Hawk a bug-eyed and almost goofy appearance when compared to the stern appearance of the Cooper's Hawk.
Cooper's Hawk Juv Head ID
Bill - The bill of the juvenile and immature Cooper's Hawk protrudes further on its face, and also has a significantly greater bill height.
Eyes - The eyes of the juvenile and immature Cooper's Hawk can appear smaller in comparison to its overall head size.
Appearance - The combination of bill and eyes often gives the appearance of the juvenile and immature Cooper's Hawk looking through its bill instead of over it, as we typically see in Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also, the smaller eyes, paired with a strong lacrimal (the bone over the eye), create the stern or really flocking angry appearance.
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Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk Identification in flight - Adult and Juvenile Hawks
I will not write another double section for each age class for these hawks in flight. Mostly because I could not find enough immature Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks in flight. But we will say it's to prevent parity again. Though, my writing is more likely considered parody than parity. AAAOHHH!
Cooper's Hawk identification in flight
Head - When in flight, the head of the Cooper's Hawk protrudes farther out from the body and wings. It is subtle, but if you see a big, blocky head, check for other Cooper's Hawk field marks.
Pattern density - The barring and overall pattern density of the Cooper's Hawk are lesser than the Sharp-shinned Hawk in both age classes.
Tail shape - When in flight, the spread tail of the Cooper's Hawk is rounded. If the tail is folded, look for graduation.
Tail tip - The tail tip of the Cooper's Hawk has a distinct white tip. When the tail is worn, this can be more difficult to see, but it should still be more pronounced than anything on a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk identification in flight
Head - When flying, the head of the Sharp-shinned Hawk is not obvious. It is quite subtly protruding beyond the body and wings. From a great distance, the hawk can almost appear not to have a head! (But it does. It does.)
Pattern density - The pattern on the underside of the Sharp-shinned Hawk is often denser than the Cooper's Hawk. From a great distance, it may just give the appearance of a darker underside. This is true in both adults and juveniles.
Tail shape - The spread tail of the Sharp-shinned Hawk is distinctly square when spread in flight. If the tail is not spread, check to see if the feathers are graduated. Then check the tip. Speaking of...
Tail tip - The tail tip of the Sharp-shinned Hawk does not have the large, crisp white edging. However, if the bird is backlit, it can appear to have a bright tail tip, so consider the angle of light.
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk ID Quiz - Adult
The answer is in red below. Make your guess, then use our tips described below to help guide you if you need them.
Answers to Accipiter Quiz #1
Left Hawk - This accipiter is fully visible and gives a nice side-profile view.
Tail - This tail has distinct graduation.
Tail tip - The tip of the tail is crisp and white.
Density - There is a lot of white on the chest of this bird.
Head - Blocky, angular.
Nape - From this angle, it would appear this nape is paler than the crown.
Eyes - Small compared to the head. Stern gaze. Looking THROUGH the bill.
Bill - Tall, large, protruding.
Toes - Thick. Or thicc? Wait, no. We just looked this up. NOT THICC.
Appearance - Fierce, not cute or goofy, thick-bodied with a distinction between the body and head.
Right Hawk - This accipiter is tough due to its posture. Sorry. (Not really.)
Tail - Not visible. Yuck.
Tail tip - Not visible. Ouch.
Density - Fairly dense.
Head - Small, round.
Nape - Not visible. Seriously, Zach?
Eyes - Bulging! Looking OVER the bill!
Bill - Small, petite, not protruding.
Toes - Long, thin.
Appearance - Attempting to appear stern due to the angle it is holding its head, but those eyes are looking OVER that cute bill. Those eyes are still clearly bulging and bug-like. The head-turning throws off the teardrop shape, but it is still a petite body with a small round head.
Right: Sharp-shinned Hawk
Left: Cooper's Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk ID Quiz - Juvenile
Answers to Accipiter Quiz #2
Left Hawk - This accipiter is hunched, but enough clues are still visible.
Tail - Slight graduation, not distinct.
Tail tip - Gray.
Density - Not much more distinct than the right hawk.
Head - Small, round.
Nape - Not visible.
Eyes - Bug-like. Appear small, maybe due to posture?
Bill - Small, petite, not protruding.
Toes - Long, thin.
Appearance - This little bird is stinking cute. Yes, CUTE. The eyes do not appear to be bulging, but they also do not appear stern. Overall, very teardrop-shaped.
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Right Hawk - This hawk is fully visible and gives a nice side-profile view.
Tail - This tail has distinct graduation.
Tail tip - The tip of the tail is crisp and white.
Density - There is a lot of white on the chest of this bird, but not much more than the left hawk.
Head - Blocky, angular.
Nape - Not visible or not as helpful in this juvenile hawk.
Eyes - Small compared to the head. Stern gaze. Looking THROUGH the bill.
Bill - Tall, large, protruding.
Toes - Thick-ish?
Appearance - This is a strapping hawk. You read that right. Compared to the left hawk, this bird is strapping and not cute.
Right: Cooper's Hawk
Left: Sharp-shinned Hawk
Are you an accipiter expert yet? Good. You can write the follow-up to this article by comparing these two to the Northern Goshawk. Go you; you can now be the head flocker. Be wary; that mantle comes with a lot of complaints, stalkers, and bird responsibilities. Maybe now I can try underwater basket weaving...
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