Cooper's Hawk (Chicken Hawk)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Accipiter, Species: Accipiter cooperii · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) · Tail feather (rectrix), likely from the outer or intermediate position.
Species
Accipiter cooperii
Feather Type
Tail feather (rectrix), likely from the outer or intermediate position.
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Shape
Broad and elongated with a rounded tip; the vane is slightly asymmetrical, typical of outer tail feathers used for steering.
Size
Approximately 18-22 cm (7-9 inches) in length. This is consistent with the rectrix of an adult female or large male Cooper's Hawk.
Rarity
Common. They are among the most frequently seen hawks in suburban environments across North America.
Color & Pattern
Features 3-4 broad, dark grayish-brown or 'slate' bands alternating with lighter silvery-gray bands. The tip shows a distinct, thin white terminal band which is a classic field mark for this species.
Barb Structure
The distal portion is pennaceous with tightly interlocking barbs for flight stability, while the proximal base (calamus area) features soft, plumulaceous downy barbs.
Texture & Surface
The surface is smooth and matte with a firm, slightly stiff texture to the touch. The leading edge is tightly knit to maintain aerodynamic integrity.
Description
This is a signature tail feather from a medium-sized forest hawk. Cooper's Hawks are 'true hawks' characterized by short, rounded wings and long tails that allow them to thread through dense vegetation while chasing prey. Adults have blue-gray backs and rufous-barred underparts.
Key Features
Bold, even horizontal banding; distinct white tip (terminal band); rounded tip shape; and a length significantly larger than a Sharp-shinned Hawk but smaller than a Goshawk.
Habitat
Found in mixed and deciduous forests, open woodlands, and increasingly in suburban areas where backyard bird feeders provide a concentrated food source.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across much of the United States and southern Canada; northern populations migrate to the southern US and Central America for winter.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair. The feather shows some minor fraying at the edges and separation of barbs (splits), suggesting it was molted naturally rather than lost to trauma.
Interesting Facts
Cooper's Hawks are specialized hunters of other birds. They have been known to fly at full speed into dense briars or even through open windows to catch their prey.
Ecological Role
Apex avian predator in woodland and suburban ecosystems; helps regulate the populations of medium-sized birds (doves, jays, starlings) and small mammals.
Similar Species
Sharp-shinned Hawk (smaller, tail tip usually square rather than rounded); Northern Goshawk (much larger, more irregular wavy banding and marbling).