Arizona is a remarkably diverse setting for birdlife, and the state’s varied geography directly supports a rich population of raptors. Its canyons, mountains, and vast deserts create interconnected ecosystems that host a significant number of hawk species. This unique meeting point of habitats makes the region a destination for both permanent residents and long-distance migrants. The presence of these birds of prey is a consequence of the abundance of mammals, reptiles, and smaller birds found across the landscape.
Arizona’s Year-Round Hawk Residents
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most common and widespread raptor found throughout the state, easily recognized by its broad wings and dark band across the belly against a pale underside. This adaptable species occupies nearly every habitat type, from the Sonoran Desert floor to high-elevation forests, and is a year-round presence in Arizona. Local resident Red-tails are a familiar sight, often perched conspicuously on utility poles or soaring in wide circles, hunting small mammals, snakes, and other common prey.
The Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a distinctive permanent resident, unique among North American raptors for its social hunting behavior. Commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert, these birds exhibit dark brown plumage with chestnut-colored shoulders and thighs, and a white band on the tail. They often hunt cooperatively in family groups, a strategy that allows them to flush and capture prey. It is common to see several individuals perched side-by-side on a saguaro cactus in southern Arizona.
The Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is an accipiter, characterized by its long tail and short, rounded wings designed for maneuvering through dense cover. Adults feature a blue-gray back, reddish barring on the chest, and red eyes. This species is an agile, stealthy hunter specializing in catching other birds, such as doves and pigeons. They have adapted successfully to both woodland and suburban environments across Arizona, relying on swift, surprise attacks from a concealed perch.
Migratory and Seasonal Hawk Species
Arizona hosts several species present only during certain times of the year, including the Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). These birds undertake one of the longest migrations of any North American raptor, traveling to the pampas of Argentina for the winter. They are most commonly observed during the spring and fall migration windows, often gathering in massive flocks known as “kettles” while using thermal air currents to conserve energy. While breeding pairs are found in Arizona’s grasslands during the summer, the species is notable during migration for shifting its diet to focus almost exclusively on insects like grasshoppers and crickets.
The Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) is a Neotropical migrant that arrives in southern Arizona to breed in the spring and spends the summer months in the region. This hawk is predominantly dark-colored, with a distinctive white band on its tail. It is famous for mimicking the larger, harmless Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) in its flight style. By soaring with its wings held in a slight upward V-shape, the Zone-tailed Hawk is thought to approach unsuspecting prey, which are typically desensitized to the presence of carrion-eaters. This behavior makes birders look twice when scanning a group of soaring raptors in canyons and mountainous areas.
The Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) is an arctic breeder that travels south to spend the winter in the open country of Arizona. This bird is distinguishable by the feathering that extends down its legs to its toes, a cold-weather adaptation that gives it its name. In flight, key identifying features include a dark belly band and conspicuous black patches at the “wrists” of its underwings. They favor open grasslands and agricultural fields in the southeastern part of the state, where they hunt small rodents from a low perch or by hovering.
Identifying Hawk Habitats Across Arizona
Desert and Riparian Zones
The vast Desert and Riparian Zones, including the Sonoran Desert, are the year-round home for the Harris’s Hawk, which relies on the open structure of paloverde and saguaro cacti for nesting and perching. Lower-elevation river corridors and water-dependent woodlands are the preferred habitat for species like the Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), which often nests near water sources. These areas provide the necessary blend of perching sites and prey availability in an otherwise arid landscape.
Mountain and Forest Zones
In the state’s higher-elevation Mountain and Forest Zones, particularly the “Sky Islands” of the southeast, different species dominate the landscape. The Zone-tailed Hawk prefers the rugged terrain of canyons and the forested lower slopes of mountains for its summer breeding. The dense coniferous and deciduous forests at these elevations are where the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a powerful resident, is most often found. These habitats offer the dense tree cover needed for stealthy hunting and protected nesting sites.
Open Grasslands and Agricultural Areas
The Open Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, especially in the southeastern regions, attract open-country foragers and migrants. These flat, expansive environments are the temporary home for the wintering Rough-legged Hawk, which hunts over the fields for rodents. The agricultural fields attract large numbers of Swainson’s Hawks during migration, as the tilled earth and crops provide an abundant source of insect prey. These open areas provide the long sightlines and low vegetation that these soaring species prefer for hunting.