Hawks are predatory birds belonging to the group known as raptors. Avian prey forms a significant, though variable, part of their diet. These sophisticated hunters possess specialized physical tools and employ distinct strategies to capture other flying creatures. This predatory behavior is driven by species-specific adaptations, local habitat, and the availability of suitable targets.
Avian Targets: Identifying Prey Birds
The types of birds a hawk preys upon are largely determined by the raptor’s size and hunting environment. Smaller, agile hawks often target common birds found in backyards and forests. For instance, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, one of the smallest North American accipiters, has a diet consisting of up to 90% small songbirds, including sparrows, finches, and wood-warblers.
Medium-sized raptors, like the Cooper’s Hawk, take slightly larger prey, including doves, starlings, and pigeons. Bird feeders concentrate small birds, often making these areas hunting grounds for these hawks. The largest North American hawks, such as the Red-tailed Hawk, occasionally capture ground-dwelling birds as large as pheasants or domestic fowl.
The size difference between male and female hawks is a factor in prey selection. Smaller male Sharp-shinned Hawks typically pursue very small birds like sparrows, while the larger females take bigger prey, such as American Robins. This difference reduces competition between the sexes, ensuring a wider range of food resources can be exploited.
Hunting Styles and Habitats
Hawk species are categorized into two groups with distinct hunting styles: Accipiters and Buteos. Accipiters, which include the Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, have short, rounded wings and long tails, providing exceptional maneuverability. These features allow them to weave through dense forest cover, making them effective ambush hunters. They hunt by launching a sudden, high-speed attack from a concealed perch in wooded areas or along forest edges.
Buteos, such as the Red-tailed Hawk, possess broad wings and a shorter, broad tail, making them adept at soaring in open country. Their hunting method involves a “sit-and-wait” approach, using their eyesight to scan for movement from a high vantage point. Once prey is spotted, they execute a rapid swoop or pounce to secure the animal with their powerful talons. The sharp, curved talons are the primary tool for subduing and killing prey, while the hooked beak is used for tearing the carcass.
Other Dietary Components
Although some hawk species specialize in hunting birds, most are opportunistic carnivores with a diverse diet. Small mammals are the preferred and most frequently consumed food source for many common species. Rodents, including mice, voles, ground squirrels, and rabbits, make up the vast majority of the diet for Buteos like the Red-tailed Hawk, often accounting for 85 to 90 percent of their intake.
Hawks also regularly consume reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, and amphibians like frogs, especially in warmer climates. Insects, including grasshoppers and beetles, are a common seasonal supplement to the core diet. Additionally, hawks scavenge and will consume carrion when the opportunity arises or when live prey is scarce.