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Cooper's Hawk

Astur cooperii

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Typical length
20 in[4]

Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) is a bird in the family Accipitridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives Cooper's Hawk a global rank of G5, which it labels Secure[2]. In the United States it is ranked N5B and N5N, Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. NatureServe estimates the total adult population at 10,000 to 100,000 birds[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[8] 10,000 to 100,000 individuals

Where Cooper's Hawk lives

NatureServe lists Cooper's Hawk as native in 49 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. That list covers states from Maine and Florida in the East to Washington and California in the West[3]. State ranks vary a lot, so a bird that is secure in one state may be rarer in another[10].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S3B,S3NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: native, state rank S3B,S3NVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S2BNHWashington: native, state rank S4B,S4NWAIdaho: native, state rank S4IDMontana: native, state rank S4BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMNIllinois: native, state rank S3ILMichigan: native, state rank S4MINew York: native, state rank S4NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S4B,S5NMAOregon: native, state rank S4ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S4WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3BSDIowa: native, state rank S3BIAIndiana: native, state rank S3BINOhio: native, state rank S3OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S1B,S3NRICalifornia: native, state rank S4CAUtah: native, state rank S4B,S3NUTColorado: native, state rank S3B,S4NCONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S4B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3B,S4NWVVirginia: native, state rank S3B,S3NVAMaryland: native, state rank S4B,S4NMDDelaware: native, state rank S1BDEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S3B,S4NKSArkansas: native, state rank S1B,S3NARTennessee: native, state rank S3BTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3B,S4NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S3SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3N,SHBDCOklahoma: native, state rank S2OKLouisiana: native, state rank S4LAMississippi: native, state rank S2BMSAlabama: native, state rank S3B,S4NALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4B,S3NTXFlorida: native, state rank S3FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaS4Apparently Secure
ColoradoS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS3N,SHBVulnerable (nonbreeding), Possibly Extirpated (breeding)
FloridaS3Vulnerable
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS3Vulnerable
IndianaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
IowaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
KansasS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS4Apparently Secure
MaineS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
MarylandS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS4Apparently Secure
MinnesotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MississippiS2BImperiled (breeding)
MissouriS3Vulnerable
MontanaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
NebraskaS5Secure
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS2BImperiled (breeding)
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS4Apparently Secure
North CarolinaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioS3Vulnerable
OklahomaS2Imperiled
OregonS4Apparently Secure
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
South CarolinaS3Vulnerable
South DakotaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
TennesseeS3BVulnerable (breeding)
TexasS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
UtahS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
VermontS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
WyomingS4Apparently Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this hawk. They include hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, riparian areas and suburban or orchard settings[11]. For nesting, it mostly uses mature forest, and it also uses open woodland and forest edges[12]. It often builds a new nest on a horizontal limb or in a fork of a tree, and it may rework an older nest[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size and diet

Cooper's Hawk is a carnivore[13]. Birds are its main food, and NatureServe says up to 90% of the diet is other birds, especially medium-sized ones like flickers and starlings[14]. It also takes small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects[14]. NatureServe records a typical length of 51 cm (20 in) and a typical adult weight of 529 g[4][15].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 51 cm (20 in)
Typical adult weight[15] 529 g (18.7 oz)
Food habits[13] Carnivore
Migration[16] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

When to look for it

Cooper's Hawk is diurnal, which means it is active in the daytime[17]. NatureServe lists its movement as non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, because populations differ[16]. The northernmost birds migrate, but many stay through winter across most of the breeding range[18]. Breeding usually begins in early April and runs through May and June[19]. In the northern states, southward migration starts in late August and peaks in September[19].

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Cooper's Hawk as present in 1 park units[20]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

Questions people ask

Is the Cooper's Hawk endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Cooper's Hawk live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. It uses forests, woodlands, riparian areas and suburban settings[11].
What does the Cooper's Hawk eat?
Mostly other birds, up to 90% of the diet according to NatureServe[14]. It also eats small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects[14].
How big is a Cooper's Hawk?
NatureServe records a typical length of 51 cm (20 in) and a typical adult weight of 529 g[4][15].
Does the Cooper's Hawk migrate?
Some do. The northernmost populations migrate, but many birds stay through winter in most of the breeding range[18]. NatureServe says populations can differ[16].

Facts and sources

  1. Cooper's Hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Cooper's Hawk: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Cooper's Hawk as native in 49 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 51 cm (20 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to 100,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Cooper's Hawk (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Cooper's Hawk: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Suburban/orchard, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Cooper's Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Cooper's Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 529 g (18.7 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe migration category for Cooper's Hawk: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on migration for Cooper's Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Cooper's Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  20. NPSpecies park lists recording Cooper's Hawk as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.