Hawks are present in Michigan, inhabiting diverse environments from dense forests and expansive open fields to suburban areas and along the Great Lakes shorelines. Their adaptability allows them to thrive across the state, making them a common sight.
Common Hawk Species in Michigan
The Red-tailed Hawk is among the most frequently encountered hawks in Michigan, recognized by its distinctive reddish-brown tail in adults. This large raptor is highly adaptable, often seen in open areas like fields, grasslands, and along roadsides, as well as in suburban and forest edge habitats. Red-tailed Hawks typically weigh between 2 to 4 pounds and have a wingspan of 45-52 inches. They primarily prey on small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits.
The Cooper’s Hawk, a medium-sized forest dweller, is known for its agility in navigating dense trees. Adults exhibit pale orange barring on their chest and a bluish-gray back. These predators are found in wooded areas, including deciduous forests and suburban neighborhoods with mature trees, where they hunt smaller birds and mammals. Cooper’s Hawks can be distinguished from similar species by their larger size and more rounded tail feathers.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk species found in Michigan. They have a grayish back and an orangey chest, similar to Cooper’s Hawks, but are identified by their smaller size and usually squared-off tail. Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily inhabit forested areas and are adept at ambushing small birds, often near bird feeders. They are known for their rapid, acrobatic flight.
The Broad-winged Hawk, a smaller species, prefers deep woods and forests, often near water. These hawks have chunky bodies and broad wings that come to a distinct point in flight. Adults typically display broad black and white bands on their tails. While less conspicuous during the breeding season, they become highly visible during migration, forming large groups known as “kettles.”
Where and When to Spot Hawks
Red-tailed Hawks are frequently spotted perched on telephone poles or soaring over open fields, especially in agricultural lands in the southern part of the state. Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are often seen at forest edges or in suburban areas with mature trees, sometimes hunting near bird feeders.
Spring and fall migrations offer excellent opportunities for hawk watching in Michigan. Broad-winged Hawks are renowned for their migratory flights, forming large “kettles” of hundreds or even thousands of birds. These aerial displays can be observed along ridges and coastlines, especially near the Great Lakes, such as at sites like Lake Erie Metropark. Fall migration, particularly in late August and early September, is a prime time to witness these mass movements.
Michigan holds a notable record for hawk observation, with the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch counting over 22,000 Red-tailed Hawks in 2019, making it the highest count east of the Mississippi River. This site, along with others near the Great Lakes, provides excellent vantage points during peak migration periods. Many hawk species remain year-round residents in Michigan, particularly in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.
General Characteristics and Conservation Status
Hawks, as birds of prey, possess specialized characteristics for their predatory lifestyle. Their eyesight is remarkably keen, estimated to be up to eight times sharper than human vision, allowing them to spot prey from great distances. They also feature powerful talons to capture prey and hooked beaks for tearing flesh.
These raptors play an important role in their ecosystems as predators, helping to regulate populations of small mammals, birds, and other animals. Their hunting strategies vary, from soaring high above open landscapes to ambushing prey from concealed perches. The diet of many hawk species primarily consists of rodents, though they are opportunistic and will consume birds, snakes, and carrion depending on availability.
All raptors, including hawks, are protected by law in the United States. They fall under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a federal law that prohibits the hunting, capturing, killing, or selling of migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs. This act, along with state regulations, ensures the conservation of hawk populations.