North American hawks are diurnal birds of prey, while raccoons are medium-sized nocturnal omnivores. The relationship between them is constrained by significant differences in size and behavior. The common perception of a bird of prey taking down a large mammal often does not apply due to the raptor’s physical limitations. Whether a hawk can prey on a raccoon depends primarily on the raccoon’s age and vulnerability.
Size Matters The Limits of Predation
An adult raccoon (Procyon lotor) typically weighs between 14 and 23 pounds, though some can exceed 35 pounds. This weight creates an insurmountable physical barrier for even the largest North American hawks, such as the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), which generally weighs only 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Raptors have a defined maximum carrying capacity, limiting them to prey they can successfully lift and transport.
Attacking a full-grown raccoon presents a high risk of injury to the hawk. Raccoons possess sharp claws and teeth and fight fiercely when cornered. A serious injury, such as a broken wing, would severely impact a hawk’s ability to hunt and survive. Therefore, a fully mature, healthy raccoon is generally not considered viable prey for any hawk species due to the disproportionate size and the danger of retaliation.
Predation on Raccoon Kits and Juveniles
The size constraint is removed when considering predation on very young raccoons, known as kits, which are highly vulnerable. A newborn raccoon kit weighs only between 2 and 7 ounces at birth. This predation usually occurs when the kits are still in the den or when they are very small juveniles venturing out for the first time.
The largest hawk species, including the Red-tailed Hawk and the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), are the ones most likely to opportunistically target these young. Kits remain dependent on their mother for several months and are often left alone while the adult forages during daylight hours when hawks are active. A hawk soaring overhead may spot a solitary kit with limited mobility, presenting a brief window of opportunity.
This type of event is rare and opportunistic, as raccoons are primarily nocturnal, limiting the chances of a daytime encounter. When it does occur, it is usually a matter of a hawk finding a young raccoon that has strayed or is injured, rather than a sustained hunting strategy. Hawks are sometimes observed feeding on raccoon carrion, which may be mistaken for active predation.
Primary Prey for North American Hawks
The typical diet of large North American hawks reinforces the idea that raccoons are not a standard food source. Hawks are highly effective predators focused on prey that is easily manageable and abundant. Their diets primarily center on small to medium-sized mammals, such as voles, mice, gophers, and rabbits.
These raptors also frequently hunt a variety of small birds, reptiles, and amphibians, particularly snakes and lizards. The Red-tailed Hawk often hunts by soaring high or perching on an elevated spot, then quickly pouncing on prey on the ground. This hunting style is best suited for animals that can be incapacitated quickly and transported easily.
The Northern Goshawk, which inhabits dense forests, is known for its agility in catching birds and mammals like squirrels and snowshoe hares. Focusing on smaller, less dangerous prey allows these hawks to maximize their energy expenditure while minimizing the risk of injury.