Definition
The term "chicken hawk" is a colloquial name applied to various North American hawks, especially those that people believe prey on chickens. Often, it refers to the Cooper's hawk or the red-tailed hawk, depending on the region. These birds are opportunistic predators, eating rodents, birds, and other small animals. Farmers used to fear these hawks for perceived losses to poultry. The term often carries a negative connotation due to this history. The reality is most hawks prefer easier prey than chickens. ð