Sharp Shinned Hawk Vs Cooper’s Hawk: How To Tell These Raptors Apart

Backyard birdwatchers often get stumped when a small, fast-moving hawk zooms into the feeder area. Was it a Sharp-shinned Hawk or a Cooper’s Hawk? These two accipiters look nearly identical at first glance, but they have key differences in size, shape, and behavior.

This guide breaks down those differences so you can identify them with confidence whether they’re perched in a tree or streaking through the sky.

Table of Contents

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Smallest hawk in North America
Slender body with shorter wings and squared-off tail
Thin legs (hence the name “sharp-shinned”)
Eye color changes with age: yellow in juveniles, orange to red in adults

Cooper’s Hawk

Larger, crow-sized hawk
Rounded tail tip with distinct white band
Broader head and neck, giving a blockier profile
Orange eyes in adults, yellow in juveniles

Comparison Table

Feature	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Cooper’s Hawk
Size	10–14 in (robin-sized)	14–20 in (crow-sized)
Tail Shape	Squared-off	Rounded with white tip
Head Proportion	Small, tucked	Large, blocky
Flight Style	Quick, snappy wingbeats	Slower wingbeats, more gliding
Leg Thickness	Thin “sharp shins”	Thicker, more robust
Common Setting	Backyard feeders	Wooded edges, urban areas

Habitat and Range

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Found across Canada, U.S., and into Central America
Prefers dense forests, but often visits backyard feeders chasing songbirds
Migrates seasonally, often seen in large numbers at raptor migration watch sites

Cooper’s Hawk

Range overlaps with Sharp-shinned across North America
Adapted well to suburbs, woodlots, and city parks
More likely to stay year-round in milder climates

Behavior and Hunting Style

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Quick, acrobatic flyer weaving through trees
Hunts mainly small birds like sparrows, finches, and chickadees
Often ambushes feeders suddenly

Cooper’s Hawk

Larger prey: doves, pigeons, squirrels, jays
Uses surprise attacks but also longer chases
Tends to perch more visibly before striking

Calls and Vocalizations

Sharp-shinned Hawk

High-pitched, rapid “kik-kik-kik”
Often used during nesting season

Cooper’s Hawk

Slower, lower “cak-cak-cak” call
More drawn-out and less sharp than the Sharp-shinned

Which One Are You Seeing?

At a backyard feeder: If the hawk looks small, darting, and quick—it’s likely a Sharp-shinned.
If it seems crow-sized with a rounded tail: You’re probably looking at a Cooper’s Hawk.
Flight clue: Sharpies flap-flap-glide in bursts, while Cooper’s Hawks show steadier, stronger wingbeats.

FAQs

Which hawk is more common at backyard feeders?

Both visit feeders, but Sharp-shinned Hawks are more frequent due to their preference for small birds.

How can I tell them apart in flight?

Sharp-shinned Hawks flap more rapidly with quicker wingbeats, while Cooper’s Hawks have slower, more powerful strokes with longer glides.

Do Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks migrate?

Yes. Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate long distances, while many Cooper’s Hawks are partial migrants depending on location.

Can these two hawks live in the same area?

Yes, their ranges overlap widely, but they often target slightly different prey sizes, reducing direct competition.

Which hawk is larger, the Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s?

The Cooper’s Hawk is much larger, roughly crow-sized, while the Sharp-shinned is closer to robin-sized.