Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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OSPREY, EAGLES, HARRIER, ACCIPITERS, BUTEOS

Cooper's Hawk  Accipiter cooperii

WINTER:  Uncommon Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Uncommon Resident.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon Migrant at best.  Data for migration dates lacking.  Edeburn et al. (1960) indicated migrants occurring in March.

 Fall:  Uncommon Migrant.  Slack (1987) indicated migrants occurring in October and Edeburn et al. (1960) indicated migrants occurring in November.

REMARKS:

Hall (1983) stated that at one time this species may have been the most common hawk in West Virginia.  Edeburn et al. (1960) considered it the most common breeding hawk, other than the American Kestrel, in our area.  Kiff et al. (1986) considered this species less common than the Sharp-shinned Hawk since the 1970's.  CBC data shows very little difference in total numbers or percent of occurrence on counts..

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 54% of Counts.  Total Birds:  62.  Range:  1 to 4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 61% of Counts.  Total Birds:  13.  Range:  1 to 2.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 80% of Counts.  Total Birds:  66.  Range:  1 to 6.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  48.7.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  27.2.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  27.5.