ID Tips: Cooper's Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk

It can be tough to tell if you're looking at a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Learn how to differentiate these two species with all the major tips for adult and juvenile birds.
Link to download the graphics: app.box.com/s/jwlvhg5ci84z0x0...
Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description
amzn.to/3GZl3Mu
Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod
amzn.to/3suX5CK
Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod
amzn.to/3uRLTTk
Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera
amzn.to/3HF8jeh
Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300
amzn.to/3oH8YnS
Connect with us!
badgerlandbirding.wordpress.com
/ badgerlandbirding
/ badgerlandbirding
/ badgerlandbirding \
Credit
Photos at 0:14-0:25 and 0:41-54 by René Duclos
Video from 1:09-1:17 by Robert Nunnally
flic.kr/p/FWrvAL
Dennis Murphy
flic.kr/p/THz9Lo
Cooper's Hawk in Flight at 2:32 by Fyn Kynd
flic.kr/p/GuEUnc
Cooper's Hawk at 3:15 by Alan Schmierer
flic.kr/p/5FwHCT
Sharp-shinned Hawk at 3:25 by Matthew Thompson
Sharp-shinned Hawk at 4:10 by Shawn Taylor
flic.kr/p/2cvX5KR
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk in graphic by Becky Matsubara (Edited)
flic.kr/p/NFahWB
Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk in graphic by Sandra Uecker\USFWS (Public Domain)
flic.kr/p/2n1Lfvf
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk at 1:33 by Jim Kennedy
flic.kr/p/qv56Ws
Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1:37 by Sjenson
flic.kr/p/DAQRE9
Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at 2:16 by Becky Matsubara
flic.kr/p/SbQYyN
Cooper's Hawk Adult used in graphic by PEHart (Edited)
flic.kr/p/Dh7Aw4
Adult Cooper's Hawk used in graphic by Alan Schmierer (Edited)
flic.kr/p/eiXW1E
Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at 2:35 in flight by Bettina Arrigoni
flic.kr/p/xjC27w
Merlin photo at 5:24 by Steve
flic.kr/p/e99FNc
Photo highlighting legs on Cooper's hawk by Mikes’ Birds
flic.kr/p/Xpd2JL
Photo highlighting Shap-shinned Hawk legs by Todd Petit
flic.kr/p/2mLpCBm
Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps
www.sdakotabirds.com/index.ht...
All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann
#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

[@davidfrench4477]

I think your ID Tip videos are the best and most thorough out there. I've struggled with many of these pairs, often drawing the chastisement of the eBird reviewers. We must remember that an inexperienced birder has misidentified dozens or hundreds of birds. An experienced birder has misidentified thousands of birds.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much! There's definitely a learning curve and all levels of birders struggle with IDs

[@fishpoem1433]

Excellent video. Helped make a positive ID on a hawk that, sadly, slammed into a kitchen window. Sharp-shinned and one of Mother Nature's works of art. Luckily, I was able to donate it to a college biology program.

[@Ovenbirder]

Very thorough description of the differences! Thanks, I’ll use this a a resource to point others too. One thing I’ll add is that in flight the Cooper’s Hawk’s large head extends out from the leading edge of the wing, making them cross-shaped. Sharp-shinned Hawk’s small head tuck between the elbows of their wing, making them appear headless.

[@MichaelTims]

Excellent video. I just had a cooper's show up and and wasn't sure what it was. Beautiful bird.

[@johnhartley3596]

Great summary. I’ll remember the details while in the field

[@coldspring624]

I have both and love em. They work my feeders and I have great memories of the different ways they work to take their pray.

[@Brian..........]

Excellent description and visuals ! Thanks

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You’re welcome!

[@jhuntley575]

I wasn't sure between the two until watching this video. I've been seeing a cooper's hawk last few days hunting around my house

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad that it was helpful!

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

I have some fantastic pics of Coopers in my bird bath

[@debramartinez1975]

Great informative video! I was just trying to figure out what swooped in front of me. I now know what features to pay attention to for an accurate identification.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@johnhguitar]

Excellent--very helpful...Thanks

[@aurora571000]

Exactly the type of video I need!

[@dulcamarabuffo]

This is an excellent video. Thanks from Germany.

[@antlerking69]

Awesome thanks guys

[@antlerking69]

Had a Sharpie chase a Redpoll into a window a couple days ago...

[@kateclark7250]

Thank you for these tips.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You’re welcome!

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

What a great job you did. Probably the best on KZbin--bravo! Your video helped me even further with my ID skills. I just started to realize that it helps me to think of their darker head feather differences if I think of them as different haircuts. Coopers have more of a jar head cut. And I am more certain of my pictures now. I didn't know about the differences in chest feathers in juvies.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much! Glad you found the video useful!

[@heathersalmeron-garcia1075]

Super helpful ID points. I thought I saw a Cooper's, but no it was definitely a Sharp Shinned Hawk. Many thanks for the video.

[@chickaddds]

I get to see both of them on a regular basis. Especially the Sharpie.

[@carolshannon6449]

thank you! Now I know for sure what I saw a few years ago.

[@arandomcasualgamer3923]

I remember catching a glimpse of an accipiter in my front yard. It was rather large and it flew away after a few seconds. After watching this, I can confirm it was a Cooper's due to its larger size. Thanks for the new lifer!

[@thomascharles44]

Thank you! Finally I feel confident identifying these two

[@jenisecoronado5555]

Excellent information - thank you!!!

[@soulsur5er]

Living on top of a rural hill in the east I know we have both and especially the big Red Tails. I've seen falcons before too and my spouse was skeptical of this. In summer we frequently see Kestrels (sparrow hawk). Last year one almost hit me on the porch due to stalking my feeders. We are a bit over run with hawks but the crows help keep them at bay or there would be no song birds. When we moved here many years ago we only saw red tails. This channel helps us armatures out a lot! Thanks!!

[@laniusexcubitor6935]

Well explained and very helpful!

[@mr1pearl]

Great tips thanks 👍

[@acousticshadow4032]

Very comprehensive. Came here because we have had a Sharp-Shinned/Cooper's Hawk living in our New Hampshire neighborhood for over a year now. Saw it again yesterday (Xmas Day, 2022), in fact. Am leaning toward Cooper's Hawk for the tail, but thought the CH gets out of NH for the winter(?). Anyway, am now better equipped to ID this hawk upon next sighting. Thank you.

[@brittnyrv5087]

Wonderful! Wish I had this video when I was a new birder!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks for watching!

[@donnaleighjenkins4952]

They are both so beautiful!! Love your videos guys!!

[@Duclosxrp]

Great info thanks

[@theWZZA]

Great vid, thanks!

[@snowyowl5556]

Are you wondering if you had a Cooper's or a Sharp-shinned Hawk? Well, you had neither. 100% was a northern goshawk don't ask any questions....

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Haha, the Snowy Owl555 guide to Hawks: 1 page, with 1 bird

[@matthewhaverkamp8657]

Cooper's have larger heads that are more pronounced in flight, and Sharp Shins will hunch their wings more forward at the wrists as well.

[@laniusexcubitor6935]

Do female sharp-shinned hawks also have this reddish underside? Our Eurasian sparrowhawks look a lot like them, but the males are usually the only ones with this color palette...would be interesting to know

[@BadgerlandBirding]

The adult female Sharp-shinned Hawks should have the reddish stomach wash as well!

[@suzettecalleja3122]

Did you mention the difference between their beaks?

[@aknightthatsaysnee5259]

Greetings! It's been awhile! I have a video request; and this current video is a prime example. Can you guys make a video that explains the resident/migration chart that quickly pops up on the right hand side of the screen, and then just as quickly disappears, please? Some of the descriptions are self explanatory, but it's better to hear it from the pros. Thanks! 👍

[@PeregrineBF]

Permanent Resident: Present in the area year-round. Breeding Resident: Present in the area during the bird's breeding season. You'll have to look up when this is, it varies depending on the species, but usually summer and some of spring/fall. Nonbreeding Resident: Present in the area during the bird's nonbreeding season. You'll have to look up when this is, it varies depending on the species, but usually winter and some of spring/fall. Passage Migrant: Present during migration. Again, varies depending on species, usually spring/fall. Introduced: Not native to the area, but a population has established in the area. May be permanent or transitory resident. Uncertain Status: Reliably sighted on a regular basis, but not categorized into one of the above. Vagrant: Rarely sighted in the area. Usually the result of a bird getting blown off course during migration, or getting lost or otherwise ending up outside the normal range.

[@aknightthatsaysnee5259]

@@PeregrineBF Thank you. I just have to get the colors synchronized in my head. 👍

[@ABirdersParadise]

The easiest way to ID them would be if they called while you were watching them, but most of the time they don't.