What game are Cooper's Hawks best suited for hunting?

Cooper's Hawks are particularly well-suited for hunting quail due to their agile flight patterns and their ability to navigate through dense vegetation. These birds of prey have a medium size body and relatively long tails, which allow for quick aerial maneuvering to pursue small to medium-sized birds that make up a significant portion of their diet.

Quail, often found in habitats with thick cover, present an ideal hunting opportunity for Cooper's Hawks, who can utilize their speed and stealth to surprise and catch these agile birds. While they may occasionally hunt other game, such as ducks or pheasants, and even small mammals like jackrabbits, quail represent a more typical prey item due to the hawk's hunting style and preferred habitat. This adaptability in hunting quail emphasizes the Cooper's Hawk's specialized skills in catching birds that seek refuge in dense brush, making it the most suitable choice among the options provided.