Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)

OTHER NAMES: Chickenhawk, Big Blue Darter, Hen Hawk, Flying Cross, Quail Hawk
Latin Etymology: Accipiter ("to grasp") cooperii (named for William Cooper)

 Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)  at San Jose, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 215-700g  /  Length: 36-51cm  /  Wingspan: 71cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A highly sex dimorphic species of hawk where the difference is so pronounced that there is only a comparatively minor overlap of proportions and weights between male and female birds, with the female being the larger. They feed almost exclusively on vertebrate prey, and unlike Sharp-shinned are much more likely to take terrestrial mammals. They are somewhat infamous as a species which can cause identification problems in the field if clear views aren't had compared to the smaller sharp-shinned.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Astur
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found throughout much of the Lower 48; Breeding only in Northmost states, Wintering only in Far South
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Goshawk (Astur gentilis)

OTHER NAMES: Goshawk
Latin Etymology: Astur ("hawk") gentilis ("noble/gentle")

Juvenile Northern Goshawk (Astur gentilis - unknown subspecies) in Norfolk - February 2021

Featured Subspecies: (Presumably) Accipiter accipiter gentilis
Weight: 0.6-1.4kg  /  Length: 55-61cm  /  Wingspan: 110cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

It seems somewhat paradoxical that one of the most widely distributed of all raptors - found throughout Europe and Northern Asia has been one of the most difficult to catch up with. In part this is due to it's lifestyle; it's a dedicated forest hunter that is only easily seen during the breeding season when they display above the forest, but also it's history in the UK has shaped how easily seen it is. In the Middle Ages it was a highly regarded species - only the nobility were allowed to use them in falconry, but as habits changed to gamekeeper lead shooting, they were now viewed as a menace. The population was all but eradicated, and only supplemented by the release (both accidentaly and intentional) of falconers birds was it able to survive. Whether this means the UK population is of mixed subspecies heritage is unclear. However, the threat of gamekeepers remains, and after the Hen Harrier is potentially the most persecuted raptor in the British Isles.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
Subspecies: A. g. gentilis, A. g. arrigonii, A. g. buteoides, A. g. albidus, A. g. schvedowi, A. g. schvedowi, A. g. fujiyamae, A. g. atricapillus, A. g. laingi, A. g. apache

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce and secretive resident.

 - Seen in Norfolk (undisclosed site) .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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