How can sharp-shinned hawks be distinguished from Cooper's hawks?

Sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper's hawks can be distinguished from each other primarily by the shape of their tails. The tail of a sharp-shinned hawk is generally square-tipped, while the Cooper's hawk has a more rounded tail. This difference in tail shape is a reliable physical characteristic that helps bird watchers and falconers identify these species in the field.

While other factors such as size, beak shape, and even hunting style differ between these two hawks, the tail shape is a clear and definitive way to differentiate them visually. Recognizing these subtle distinctions is important for accurate identification, especially since they can occupy similar habitats and have overlapping ranges.