Cooper's hawks are most suited for hunting which type of prey?

Cooper's hawks are particularly well adapted to hunt birds, with a specialization in smaller avian prey. Quail, being relatively small ground-dwelling birds, fit this profile, making them an ideal target for Cooper's hawks. Their hunting technique often involves swift, agile maneuvers through dense vegetation, where they surprise their prey.

In contrast, while other options like ducks, rabbits, and pheasants may be hunted by certain raptors, they do not align as closely with the specific hunting style and physical capabilities of Cooper's hawks. Ducks tend to be larger and often fly in water, which may not suit the hawk's preferred hunting dynamics. Similarly, rabbits and pheasants, although they can be prey, require different hunting techniques and habitat approaches compared to quail. Thus, quail represent the optimal choice for Cooper's hawks due to their prey size and habitat.