A David Mead original from Raptors of the World, published by Christopher Helm as a Handbook (2001) and a Field Guide (2005).

PLATE 49 in Handbook (Field Guide plates 53 & 54)

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus*
North, Central and South America

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
North America, Mexico

*Three subspecies shown here are elevated to species level in Field Guide as White-breasted Hawk Accipiter chionogaster, Plain-breasted Hawk Accipiter ventralis, and Rufous-thighed Hawk Accipiter erythronemius.

ABOUT THE BIRDS Found in various wooded habitats from the Arctic to the tropics, the Sharp-shinned Hawk preys almost entirely on birds, from hummingbirds to pigeons.

Populations of both Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks have recovered from serious declines caused by pesticide poisoning in the mid-1900s. Cooper’s Hawk, which eats birds such as quails, grouse, ducks and woodpeckers, is closely related to Gundlach’s Hawk and Bicoloured Hawk (plate 50).

Medium Gouache on tinted acrylic gesso
Image size 8in x 12in (20cm x 30cm)