Cooper's Hawk (Chicken Hawk)

The Cooper's Hawk is a medium-sized forest hawk featuring short, rounded wings and a very long, banded tail. Adults have a dark 'cap,' blue-gray back, and rufous-barred underparts. These feathers demonstrate the classic Accipiter 'barred' pattern used for camouflage in dappled forest light.

Distinctive bold horizontal banding (bars). The dark bands are deep brown to charcoal, while the lighter bands are pale gray to creamy white. The tips typically show a narrow white terminal band, though this can wear away.

Fully pennaceous and tightly interlocked along the majority of the vane for flight stability, transitioning to a loose, plumulaceous (downy) structure at the very base near the calamus.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat glossy on the dorsal surface. The leading edges are firm to maintain shape during the hawk's rapid, agile flight through dense vegetation.

Bold, wide dark brown bands contrasting with pale gray/white bands; straight rachis; rounded tip; white terminal edge.

Woodlands, forest edges, and increasingly common in suburban residential areas where bird feeders attract their prey.

Common across North America, from Southern Canada through most of the United States to Central Mexico. Northern populations are migratory.

Apex avian predator specializing in small to medium-sized birds. They play a vital role in regulating the populations of songbirds and pigeons.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) feathers are nearly identical but significantly smaller. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) feathers have thinner light bands and more numerous bars.

Cooper's Hawks are masters of ambush, often flying low to the ground and over obstacles to surprise smaller birds. They are sometimes called 'Blue Darters' due to their speed and adult plumage color.

The feathers appear in Good condition, though some minor 'zipper' separation of the barbs is visible. The white tips show slight abrasion, suggesting they were molted toward the end of the season.