Types of Hawks and Where to Find Them
Explore the diverse world of hawks, discover their habitats, and learn where to observe these impressive raptors in the wild.
Hawks are among nature’s most skilled and charismatic birds of prey. Known for their keen eyesight, efficient hunting techniques, and fascinating varieties, hawks inhabit a range of environments across the globe. Whether soaring over grasslands, weaving through dense forests, or hovering above marshes, each hawk species plays a crucial ecological role. This article delves into the many types of hawks, their distinct features, behaviors, and the best places to observe these remarkable raptors.
What Makes a Hawk?
Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey belonging primarily to the family Accipitridae. They are characterized by:
- Sharp, hooked beaks for tearing flesh
- Powerful talons adapted for grasping live prey
- Keen vision, enabling them to spot prey from great distances
- Robust, agile bodies suited to diverse environments – from woodlands to open plains
The word “hawk” is often used broadly and can refer to several genera, but most commonly it describes members of Accipiter and Buteo. True hawks usually have long tails and shorter, rounded wings suited to maneuvering through forests. Larger, broad-winged hawks (the Buteos) are more commonly seen soaring in open country.
Main Types of Hawks
The hawk family features a rich diversity of species worldwide. Here we explore some common categories and notable species from each:
Accipiters: The Woodland Hunters
Accipiters—such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk—are often called ‘true hawks.’ Compact and agile, they excel at flying through forested areas to ambush smaller birds and mammals. Key traits include:
- Short, rounded wings
- Long tails for rapid maneuvering
Key species:
- Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii): Found in woodlands and even urban parks across North America, this hawk has a blue-gray back, a dark crown, reddish-barred underparts, and a rounded tail. Adaptable to cities, it preys on small birds and mammals.
- Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus): Nearly identical to the Cooper’s but smaller, with square-tipped tails, these nimble hunters target songbirds. They breed across North America’s forests and often migrate south in winter.
- Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): Larger, with broad wings and a prominent white eyebrow stripe, this powerful accipiter prowls North America’s deep forests and preys on grouse, hares, and sometimes other raptors.
Buteos: The Soaring Hawks
Buteo hawks are bulkier with broad wings and short tails, ideal for soaring over open spaces. They ambush ground-dwelling prey or scavenge:
- Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): The iconic North American raptor, recognizable by its reddish tail and broad wings. It thrives in open woodlands, deserts, and urban fringes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Diet consists of rodents, rabbits, birds, and reptiles.
- Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus): Smaller and strikingly colored with rufous shoulders and banded tails, these hawks favor moist woodlands and riparian forests in eastern and southwestern U.S. Their haunting “kee-ah!” call is a signature of spring forests.
- Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus): Known for spectacular “kettles” during fall migration, these compact hawks inhabit eastern North America’s deciduous forests.
- Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni): A long-winged buteo famous for its mass migrations from the western U.S. and Canada to South America. Prefers grasslands, feeding on insects and small mammals.
- Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis): North America’s largest buteo, with rufous leg feathers (‘trousers’), inhabits the arid grasslands and prairies of the west.
- Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus): Unique for social hunting in groups, mostly found in the American Southwest and Central/South America.
Harriers
Harriers are slim, long-winged hawks that hunt by gliding low over marshes and grasslands. Notable species:
- Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius): Easily identified by a white rump patch and owl-like facial disc. Found throughout North America, these hunters rely as much on hearing as sight, nesting in tall grass and marsh vegetation.
- Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus): Found in South American grasslands and wetlands, males are dark gray with a white rump; females are brown with streaky bellies.
- Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus): Inhabits marshes and grasslands in eastern Asia and New Guinea, with marked sexual dimorphism in plumage.
- Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni): Ranges from South America’s wetlands to cropland areas, known for conspicuously long wings and migratory habits.
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Other Distinctive Hawks
- Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius): The only hawk native to Hawaii, now limited to the Big Island. Preys on rats, lizards, and birds, adapting to changing island fauna.
- Bicolored Hawk (Accipiter bicolor): Recognized by its gray upperparts and contrasting underparts, found in southern Mexico to South America’s forests.
- Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus): Pale gray above and below with a strongly banded black-and-white tail, inhabits southwestern U.S. through Central America, favoring forest edges.
- Grey-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus): Resembling the grey hawk but with more extensive barring and a distribution from Costa Rica to Argentina, common in open woodland habitats.
Where to Find Hawks
Hawks can be seen almost anywhere—from city parks to remote mountains. Some species are habitat specialists, while others adapt well to human-modified environments:
- Forests and Woodlands: Accipiters such as Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks
- Open Country: Buteo hawks such as the red-tailed and Swainson’s hawks
- Wetlands and Marshes: Harriers and some buteos including the northern harrier
- Urban and Suburban Areas: Cooper’s hawks, red-tails, and even Harris’s hawks in the right region
Notable Locations for Hawk Watching
- North America:
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Pennsylvania): Famous raptor migration site for hawk ‘kettles’ in fall.
- Western grasslands and prairies: Ferruginous and Swainson’s hawks
- Eastern forests and river valleys: Red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks
- Southwest U.S. deserts: Harris’s hawk
- State parks and wildlife refuges: Northern harrier skims over marshes and meadows (e.g., Alamo Lake State Park in Arizona)
- South America: Pampas and savannas host cinereous and long-winged harriers, as well as grey and grey-lined hawks.
- Eurasia: Marsh harriers frequent wetlands from Europe to Asia, while forests hold sparrowhawks and goshawks.
- Islands: The Hawaiian hawk is now found only on the Big Island’s diverse landscapes.
Hawk Identification Tips
Identifying hawks in the field takes practice. Here are some tips for beginners:
- Pay attention to size and shape: Accipiters are slender and agile; buteos are stocky with broad wings.
- Examine plumage patterns: Note tail bands, wing markings, and body color.
- Observe flight style:
- Accipiters flap and glide through trees
- Buteos soar in wide circles with minimal flapping
- Harriers fly low with wings in a dihedral (V-shape), often ‘teetering’ from side to side
- Listen for calls: Distinctive vocalizations can distinguish species; e.g., red-shouldered hawks have loud “kee-ah” cries.
- Consult local field guides for regional differences and rare species.
Hawk Conservation Status
While many hawk species are secure, some face habitat loss, environmental hazards, and declining prey populations. The following designations are typical:
- Least Concern: Many widespread species like red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks
- Vulnerable or Endangered: Some regional endemics (such as the Hawaiian hawk) and those affected by pesticides, habitat conversion, and illegal shooting
Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, reducing threats from rodenticides, and promoting coexistence in agricultural and urban settings. Birdwatchers can contribute vital data through citizen science and support organizations dedicated to raptor conservation.
Table: Major Hawk Types at a Glance
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Size (Length) | Key Features | Habitat | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis | 18–26 in | Reddish tail, broad wings, pale underside | Open country, woodlands, fields | North America |
| Cooper’s Hawk | Accipiter cooperii | 14–20 in | Blue-gray back, rounded tail, red barring | Forests, suburbs, urban | North America |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus | 9–13 in | Small, square-tipped tail, slender | Forests, woodlands | North America |
| Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | 16–20 in | White rump, owl-like face, long wings | Marshes, fields | North America |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | 17–24 in | Red shoulders, banded tail, loud call | Woodlands, near water | Eastern/southwestern U.S. |
| Ferruginous Hawk | Buteo regalis | 22–27 in | Rust-red legs, massive build | Grasslands, prairies | Western North America |
| Harris’s Hawk | Parabuteo unicinctus | 18–23 in | Dark brown, chestnut shoulders, white rump | Desert, scrub | SW U.S., Central/South America |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can you tell the difference between a hawk and an eagle?
A: Eagles are typically larger and heavier, with longer wingspans, more massive beaks, and broader wings. Hawks are generally stockier with shorter wings and tails suited for agility rather than soaring at great heights.
Q: Can hawks live in cities?
A: Yes, several hawk species, such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, adapt readily to urban and suburban areas, where they prey on pigeons, doves, squirrels, and sometimes backyard birds.
Q: What is the best time of year to see hawks migrating?
A: Fall is prime migration season for hawks, especially at well-known raptor watch sites. During this time, large flocks (kettles) of some species gather and soar south, making for spectacular viewing opportunities.
Q: Are hawks endangered?
A: Most hawk species are classified as Least Concern, but some, especially insular and habitat-specialist species, face conservation risks due to habitat destruction, pesticide use, and declining prey.
Q: How do hawks hunt?
A: Hawks employ various hunting strategies, including soaring and scanning for prey, ambushing from concealed perches, or slowly gliding low to flush small mammals or birds.
References
- https://avibirds.com/types-of-hawks/
- https://azstateparks.com/hawks-in-arizona
- https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/beginners/birding-faq/types-of-hawks/
- https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/browse/shape/Hawks%20and%20Falcons
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PygjSi01xG0
- https://birda.org/hawk-identification-everything-youd-need-to-know/
- https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/birds/birds-of-prey
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