Texas is home to a high concentration and diversity of raptors. Its sheer size and position along a major North American flyway create varied ecosystems that support a multitude of hawk species. These diverse habitats, ranging from coastal marshes to arid mountain ranges, allow for numerous year-round residents and a spectacular influx of migratory birds.
Defining the Most Commonly Seen Species
The most frequently encountered hawk in Texas is the Red-tailed Hawk, a widespread year-round resident easily recognized by its large size and broad wings. This classic Buteo, or soaring hawk, has a stocky body measuring between 18 and 26 inches in length, with a wingspan reaching nearly five feet. Resident populations are plentiful, and their numbers increase during winter as individuals from northern latitudes migrate south.
A distinctly Texan species is the Harris’s Hawk, a medium-sized raptor unique for its social behavior, often hunting cooperatively in small family groups. Found primarily in the brushlands and semi-arid regions of South Texas, this hawk has dark plumage contrasted by striking chestnut-colored shoulders and white at the base of the tail. Unlike most solitary raptors, the Harris’s Hawk is a permanent resident that maintains complex social dynamics within its territory.
Two other species are prominent based on the season: the Broad-winged Hawk and the Rough-legged Hawk. The Broad-winged Hawk is a small Buteo that forms massive swirling flocks known as “kettles” during migration as they pass over Texas en route to Central and South America. Conversely, the Rough-legged Hawk is a winter visitor from the Arctic tundra, often seen in the northern and western open grasslands. This large hawk is distinguishable by its feathered legs and its tendency to hover or “kite” in the air while hunting.
Regional Distribution and Preferred Habitats
Hawk presence in Texas is highly localized due to the state’s vast ecological variety. In East Texas, dominated by the dense canopy of the Piney Woods, the Red-shouldered Hawk is the characteristic year-round resident. This hawk prefers moist woodlands, especially bottomland hardwood forests and riparian corridors near swamps and rivers, hunting from a low perch under the tree canopy.
The Coastal Plains and South Texas brush country host species adapted to open environments, such as the White-tailed Hawk. This permanent resident thrives on the Gulf Coastal Plain, favoring coastal prairies and savannas dotted with low trees and shrubs like mesquite. The White-tailed Hawk is often seen using its broad wings to hang stationary in the air, a behavior known as kiting, as it scans the grasslands below.
Far West Texas, encompassing the Trans-Pecos mountains and arid deserts, serves as territory for different raptors. The Golden Eagle is a resident in this mountainous country, claiming massive foraging areas in the dry, high-elevation terrain. The Swainson’s Hawk is a common sight during the warmer months, breeding in the open grasslands of the western half of the state before embarking on one of the longest raptor migrations in the world, journeying to Argentina.
Quick Field Identification Tips
Distinguishing between the main groups of hawks can be accomplished by focusing on their silhouette and flight style. The large, broad-winged hawks, or Buteos, are built for high-altitude soaring, riding thermal updrafts with their wings held flat or in a slight “V” shape known as a dihedral. Their tails are short and wide, often fanned out during a soar to provide maximum lift.
In contrast, the Accipiters, such as the Cooper’s Hawk, possess a body plan optimized for agility within forested areas. They feature short, rounded wings and a noticeably long tail, which acts as a rudder for navigating dense woods. Their flight pattern is characterized by rapid bursts of flapping followed by a brief, gliding movement, a style referred to as “flap-flap-glide.”
Observing the tail is another differentiator, even when the hawk is perched. The Red-tailed Hawk’s broad tail is a defining feature. Large Buteos like the Rough-legged Hawk are frequently observed hunting by hovering or kiting over open fields, a behavior rarely seen in the forest-dwelling Accipiters.