West · Central Flyway
Are There Cooper's Hawks in Colorado?
Yes, but uncommon — Cooper's Hawks occur in Colorado year-round in small numbers. Accipiter cooperii · Accipitridae
Is the Cooper's Hawk Found in Colorado?
Cooper's Hawks do occur in Colorado, but they are considered uncommon. Encountering one requires patience and the right habitat.
Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Cooper's Hawks occur regularly are Wyoming (about 270 miles away), New Mexico (about 310 miles away) and Utah (about 340 miles away).
Often mistaken for Cooper's Hawks in Colorado: Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel — these occur regularly in Colorado, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Cooper's Hawk.
Cooper's Hawk is a North American backyard bird.
In Colorado, this species is classified as uncommon. It is a year-round resident, present in all 12 months.
Monthly Activity — Cooper's Hawk in Colorado
Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.
Identification
Best Time to See Cooper's Hawk in Colorado
Other birds in Colorado
Birds you might also encounter in Colorado.
Cooper's Hawk in other states
Cooper's Hawk in Colorado: Quick Facts
The Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is an uncommon bird in Colorado. It is classified as a year-round resident in the state, falling within the West region and the Central Flyway migration corridor.
For birders in Denver and throughout Colorado, knowing the seasonal patterns of Cooper's Hawk can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.
Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Colorado using the related birds section.