Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks
How good are your raptor ID skills? Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks are two commonly confused species. But even though these birds look very similar, there are a few visual keys to ID.
| ID Key | Sharp-shinned Hawk | Cooper’s Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Usually smaller; jay or dove sized | Usually larger; crow sized |
| Body type | Broad chest and narrow hips | Tubular body shape |
| Legs | Thin compared to body; pencil-like | Thick and short compared to body |
| Hoods and Caps | Adult birds only: dark feathers on the nape and head look like a hood | Adult birds only: dark feathers on the head but lighter feathers on the nape look like a cap |
Have you got all of that? Put these cues to the test with Bird Academy’s SnapID tool and practice distinguishing between Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks. You can replay the quiz as many times as you want. Each time you hit “Play Again,” you’ll have new photo matchups to practice on. Just click “Start SnapID Challenge” to get started!
Small warning: SnapID photos are randomly selected images taken in the wild, and hawks are predators. You might see pictures of these birds eating prey as you play.
Test Your Raptor ID Skills
Interested in learning even more about raptor ID? Dive in to the details with Be a Better Birder: Hawk and Raptor Identification and learn keys to ID for all 34 raptor species in the US and Canada. Be sure to grab and print the free, downloadable Raptor Reference Guide for clear photos to help you identify the birds you spot on the go!