Comparing Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks

Sharp-shinned HawkCooper’s Hawk
smaller:
shorter length &
wingspan
males 82g-125g
females 144g-208g
Photo courtesy Cascades
Raptor Center
larger:
longer length &
wingspan
males 297g-380g
females 460g-588g
Photo courtesy Cascades
Raptor Center
smaller, rounded
shaped head
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
squarer shaped head
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
uniform dark gray
crown and nape
Photo courtesy Cascades
Raptor Center
cap: lighter nape
than crown
(juvenile shown)
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
yellow supraorbital
ridge skin
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
gray supraorbital
ridge skin
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
long thin leg
Photo courtesy Cascades
Raptor Center
leg thicker
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
white terminal band
on tail is narrow
Photo by Jean Chamberlain

Photo by Jean Chamberlain
white terminal band
on tail is wide
(may be worn off)
Photo by Jean Chamberlain

Photo by Jean Chamberlain
square tail
(some females have rounded tail)
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
rounded tail
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo courtesy Cascades
Raptor Center
Go to sharp-shinned hawks
Go to cooper’s hawks