Georgia’s diverse landscape, including coastal plains, dense forests, and the Appalachian Mountains, makes it a significant region for raptor activity. Located along the eastern North American bird migration route, the state hosts numerous hawk species throughout the year. These birds of prey include both year-round residents that breed in the state and seasonal visitors passing through during migration. This variety offers enthusiasts opportunities to observe species ranging from common backyard hunters to massive flocks of long-distance travelers.
Common Year-Round Residents
Several hawk species maintain a year-round presence, often breeding in the state and becoming familiar sights in rural and suburban environments. The Red-tailed Hawk is perhaps the most widely recognized, frequently seen perched on roadside utility poles or soaring over open fields. This large hawk is identifiable by its pale underside and the rufous color of its mature tail feathers. They feed primarily on small mammals like rodents and rabbits, utilizing a wide range of habitats from grasslands to urban areas.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is another common resident, preferring to nest in mature bottomland forests and wooded areas near water sources, though they are also found in suburban landscapes. These medium-sized hawks have a distinct checkered black and white pattern on their wings and a reddish-barred chest. Their call is a loud, repeated “kee-aah,” and their diverse diet includes small mammals, amphibians, snakes, and even crayfish in the southeast.
The Cooper’s Hawk is the third prominent year-round resident, known for its incredible agility while flying through dense tree canopies. This medium-sized hawk specializes in hunting other birds, often targeting species like doves and starlings, though they also consume small mammals. Cooper’s Hawks are increasingly found in suburban environments, sometimes using backyard bird feeders as hunting grounds. They are distinguished by their long, rounded tail and relatively short, rounded wings, features that aid in navigating wooded areas.
Seasonal Visitors and Migratory Species
Many raptors pass through Georgia during their fall and spring movements as part of the extensive North American migratory network. The Broad-winged Hawk is the most numerous of these seasonal visitors, undertaking a journey to Central and South America for the winter. These relatively small, stocky hawks are best known for gathering in massive flocks called “kettles” during their southbound migration, which typically peaks around mid-September.
These kettles consist of thousands of birds utilizing rising columns of warm air, or thermals, to gain altitude and conserve energy for their long-distance flight. This reliance means their migration is heavily concentrated on days following a cold front when northwest winds provide favorable lift. The spectacle of their migration is the most notable time to observe them in Georgia.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk, the smallest of the North American Accipiter hawks, is another prominent migrant, typically passing through Georgia from fall into spring. Unlike the Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawks tend to migrate individually, often flying low along ridge lines and forest edges. Their diet consists almost exclusively of smaller birds, making them highly efficient, stealthy hunters. Their migration timing extends well into October and November, following the peak of the Broad-winged movement.
Geographic Hotspots and Viewing Tips
Observing the hawk migration requires targeting specific geographic features that create natural bottlenecks or updrafts. The mountains of North Georgia, particularly the ridge systems, act as natural flyways for raptors traveling south. These features force migrating birds into concentrated streams, making them easier to spot from strategic vantage points.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, located near Atlanta, is one of the most well-known spots for observing the fall raptor movement. The park’s elevation provides an excellent platform to watch for the large swirling flocks, or kettles, of Broad-winged Hawks as they pass through. For the best viewing success, observers should look for migration days immediately following a cold front. Learning to identify the general body shape of a raptor in flight is highly beneficial. For example, look for the broad, rounded wings of a Buteo hawk (like the Red-tail) or the short, rounded wings and long tail of an Accipiter (like the Cooper’s Hawk).