cooper's hawk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specific technical/birding term)Formal/Technical (Ornithology, Birdwatching, Ecology)
Quick answer
What does “cooper's hawk” mean?
A medium-sized North American hawk of the genus Accipiter, known for its agile flight in wooded habitats, named after the ornithologist William Cooper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized North American hawk of the genus Accipiter, known for its agile flight in wooded habitats, named after the ornithologist William Cooper.
More broadly refers to any member of the species Accipiter cooperii, which is characterized by a long, rounded tail, short, rounded wings, and a habit of hunting birds and small mammals in forested areas and suburban edges.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily used in American English, referencing a New World species. In British English, a more generic term like 'bird of prey' or a specific European hawk species would be used.
Connotations
In North America, it carries connotations of native wildlife, birdwatching, and ecology. In the UK, it is a recognized but less familiar term from American ornithology.
Frequency
Common in American field guides and birding contexts; very rare in general British discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cooper's hawk” in a Sentence
The {observe/see/spot} cooper's hawk {in/over/among} the {trees/garden].A cooper's hawk {swooped/captured} its {prey}.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and ornithology papers discussing raptor behavior, migration, or habitat conservation.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers, gardeners, or nature enthusiasts describing a sighting.
Technical
Standard term in field guides, species inventories, and wildlife management documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cooper's hawk”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cooper's hawk”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cooper's hawk”
- Misspelling as 'cooper hawk' (omitting the possessive 's').
- Confusing it with the similar but larger 'northern goshawk'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always the possessive 'cooper's hawk', named after the naturalist William Cooper.
While they primarily hunt wild birds and small rodents, a large female cooper's hawk could potentially threaten very small pets like toy-breed dogs or cats if left unsupervised. This is rare.
Key identification points include a long, rounded tail with a distinct white terminal band, a rounded head projection, and a steely blue-gray back on adults. It is larger than a sharp-shinned hawk but smaller than a northern goshawk.
It was named in honour of the American naturalist and curator William Cooper (1798-1864), one of the founders of the New York Academy of Sciences.
A medium-sized North American hawk of the genus Accipiter, known for its agile flight in wooded habitats, named after the ornithologist William Cooper.
Cooper's hawk is usually formal/technical (ornithology, birdwatching, ecology) in register.
Cooper's hawk: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkuːpəz hɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkuːpɚz hɔːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the COOper who makes barrels from wood; the COOper's HAWK is a bird that expertly navigates wooden (forested) areas.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Proper noun for a specific entity).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a cooper's hawk's hunting style?