Incubation is by both sexes, mostly by the female, and takes 21 -24 days. Named in 1828 after William Cooper, a New York naturalist, Cooper's hawks prey mainly on birds the size of robins and jays. While hunting, they prefer to perch and wait for prey. Favored habitat is woodland. Woods where Cooper's hawks nest may remain heavily populated with songbirds, as these hawks hunt away from their nest area.
Call is similar to that of the sharp-shinned.
Upper plumage is dark brown, and the light undersides have a belly band of dark streaking. Red-tails inhabit deciduous woods. Primarily soaring birds, they prey on mice, birds, rabbits, red and gray squirrels, chipmunks. Red-tails breed throughout the East. Incubation is by the female, for one month.