Specifically, transfer test results suggest that mid-sized broad-winged hawks were perceived to be of high threat whereas mid-sized short-eared owls were perceived to be of low threat.

We further investigated how chickadees categorize mid-sized species’ calls by assessing transfer of training to previously non-differentially reinforced (i.e., pretraining) calls. We confirmed that chickadees can discriminate between high- and low-threat predator calls. We then tested transfer of training with additional small and large predator calls, as well as with the calls of several mid-sized predators. When either low-threat predator calls were not reinforced or high-threat predator calls were not reinforced the birds were to withhold responding (‘no-go’) to those stimuli. Black-capped chickadees were either trained to respond (‘go’) to high-threat predator calls or respond to low-threat predator calls. After obtaining eight hawk and eight owl species’ calls, we assigned each species as: (1) large, low-threat, (2) mid-sized, unknown-threat and (3) small-, high-threat predators, according to wingspan and body size. In the current study, we conducted an operant go/no-go experiment investigating black-capped chickadees’ acoustic discrimination of predator threat. We propose that there may be a continuum in threat perception. The current literature focuses only on high- and low-threat predators. With a max weight of around 678 grams (1.5lb), Cooper’s hawks are considerably smaller than most cats, including older kittens.Smaller owls and hawks are high-threat predators to small songbirds, like chickadees, in comparison to larger avian predators due to smaller raptors’ agility (Templeton et al. Can a Cooper's Hawk pick up a cat?Ĭooper’s hawks are too small to pick up cats. Many North American birds can pick up dogs, but Cooper’s hawks aren’t one of them. In no circumstance can a Cooper’s hawk pick up a dog, but they could attack a tiny dog or puppy in theory.

Likewise, Cooper’s hawks can’t pick up more than their own body weight, which maxes out at 678 grams (1.5lb). Can a Cooper's Hawk pick up a dog?Įven tiny dogs weigh 2kg (4.4lb) or so, which is well out of range of what a Cooper’s hawk can pick up. These birds are still considerably smaller than other North American birds of prey, such as eagles and vultures. However, the wingspan of a Cooper’s Hawk can range from 29 to 37 inches, so when it is soaring through the sky, it looks quite large. How big are Cooper’s Hawks in inches?Ĭooper’s Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey, typically measuring between 14 and 20 inches from head to tail. Ravens, from the crow family, are generally larger than Cooper’s hawks.

It’s safe to say they’re similar in size, but there may be slight differences, mostly regarding wingspans. They’ve even been observed drowning their prey.įAQs How big is a Cooper’s hawk compared to a crow?Ī Cooper’s hawk falls under the category of crow-sized birds. In contrast to other birds of prey, like falcons which prefer to kill prey by tearing or attacking with their beaks, Cooper’s Hawks tend to strangle and squeeze their prey with their needle-sharp talons. They’re skilled, proactive hunters with a niche for catching small mammals and birds. This bumps up their size compared to other hawks.Ĭooper’s hawks are above the average size of members of the Accipiter family, but they’re still significantly smaller than other North American raptors.Ĭooper’s hawk’s strong, broad wings enable them to soar and maneuver quickly through dense trees and thick brush. Moreover, as inhabitants of northerly latitudes, Cooper’s hawks need to be relatively large to keep warm in winter - or at least need adequately thick plumage. Cooper's Hawk size is an evolutionary adaptation to their habitat - they’re large enough to effectively hunt prey as big as rabbits and squirrels while also remaining adequately agile to avoid other predators.

Hawk wingspan