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The Cooper’s Hawk, breeds mostly in the United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. This species was named in 1828 by Charles Bonaparte for his friend and collogue William C. Cooper. They are migratory birds that focus highly on thermal air for direction. Female Cooper’s Hawk is one third larger than the males, and this species is a great example of dimorphism. They are among one of the most reverse sized dimorphism of any hawks in the world. They breed in forests and dense woods. They are also noticed to live in suburban and urban habitats. They consume prey of different sizes, including birds and mammals such as doves, robins, chipmunks, squirrels, and different rodents. In mid 1990s, the eastern population of the birds declined significantly. Some major causes of this decline in population include trapping, pesticide contamination, pollution, and shooting. Thereby, the specie is stamped as threatened or endangered species in some eastern states. Although their population was low, it is slowing recovering now in many areas. Over the years, this specie has been studied intensively by ornithologists and they have put in a collaborative effort to document the specie’s habitat and other characteristics.
The Cooper’s Hawk is medium sized and has rounded wings with a long rounded tail. Males are about 39cm and females are about 45cm. Younger birds have yellow legs, and adult birds have orange or red colored legs. The males are more brightly colored than females. Adult birds have dark gray-blue crown and it contrasts with their lighter colored napes. The tails have four straight alternating bands, dark and light brown in adults. The tip of the tail may appear white at times. Some of the areas that the population of Cooper’s ...

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...itch of the voice changes with the age of the bird. The best know and identified call is the cak-cak-cak or “alarm call”. The kik is the male’s most common call, communicating his presence in the area. The females whaaa and the young birds chirrp.
The Cooper’s Hawk occasionally runs or walks on ground, most of the time, it is resting on trees, or flying. The bird sleeps standing on one leg, with its head tucked between its back feathers. The birds maintains its health and feathers by preening, stretching, bathing in water, and scratching its head with its toes. They lay eggs after breeding and take good care of them and protect their chicks.
Overall, the birds is adaptable to human lifestyle and the population is beginning to rise slowly. They are very interesting birds and maintain high adaptable characteristic to survive in today’s changing global conditions.

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