Cooper's Hawk in August
Where Cooper's hawks are in August, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
August in the Cooper's Hawk's year
August feels like summer but the year has turned. Southbound migration is quietly underway, many adults are molting into fresh plumage, and family groups are breaking up. Late nesters are still feeding young in the North while southern birds are already drifting toward wintering grounds.
For the Cooper's Hawk specifically, August is a summer month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 56 states and provinces where Cooper's hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Cooper's hawks are in August
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In August, Cooper's hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in August
Cooper's hawks are not nesting in August. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, Cooper's hawks put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in August
- Doves, jays, starlings and chipmunks
The classic 'feeder hawk'. If one moves in, take feeders down for a week or two and it will move on.
Molting birds look scruffy and often skulk — don't be surprised if familiar visitors briefly vanish. Keep water fresh in the heat.
Full Cooper's Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for Cooper's hawks →
Watching Cooper's hawks this month
Cooper's hawks are settled and predictable in August, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region Cooper's hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Cooper's Hawk month by month
Cooper's Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are Cooper's hawks in August?
In August, Cooper's hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Cooper's hawks nest in August?
No — Cooper's hawks typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do Cooper's hawks eat in August?
Doves, jays, starlings and chipmunks.
Sources
- Cooper's Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cooper's Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cooper's Hawk — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.