Hawks are common birds of prey found across diverse landscapes, captivating observers with their soaring flights and hunting abilities. Learning to identify these raptors is a rewarding endeavor for anyone interested in the natural world. This guide provides practical methods for distinguishing different hawk species.
Visual Cues: Size, Shape, and Plumage
Identifying hawks begins with observing their physical characteristics. Estimating a hawk’s size relative to familiar birds, like a robin or crow, provides an initial clue. For instance, a Red-tailed Hawk is crow-sized, while a Sharp-shinned Hawk is smaller, closer to a robin.
Body shape is another reliable indicator. Hawks fall into two categories: Buteos and Accipiters. Buteos, like the Red-tailed Hawk, have broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail, suited for soaring. Accipiters, such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk, have shorter, rounded wings and long tails, aiding agile maneuvering through dense woods. Tail shape varies (fanned, rounded, or squared), and head size can be a distinguishing feature; Cooper’s Hawks, for instance, often appear large-headed.
Plumage, the pattern and color of a hawk’s feathers, provides detailed identification marks. Many hawks are generally brown on their upperparts and lighter below, but specific markings offer clearer distinctions. The Red-tailed Hawk commonly exhibits a streaked belly or a dark belly band, and adults are named for their brick-red tail, though juveniles have a brown, banded tail.
Red-shouldered Hawks display barred reddish underparts and a strongly banded tail. Wing patterns, such as the translucent crescents near the wingtips of a Red-shouldered Hawk in flight, or the dark patagial marks on the underside of a Red-tailed Hawk’s wings, are also significant. Plumage can differ between adults and juveniles, with young birds often having different streaking or tail banding compared to mature individuals.
Observing Flight Patterns and Behavior
Beyond visual cues, flight patterns and behaviors aid identification. Soaring hawks, particularly Buteos, often circle high overhead, using thermals to gain altitude. Red-tailed Hawks frequently soar in wide circles. Accipiters exhibit a flap-flap-glide flight, involving rapid wingbeats followed by a short glide, allowing navigation through forested environments. Wingbeat speed and depth vary; Accipiters have rapid, shallow wingbeats, while Buteos use deeper, powerful strokes.
Perching habits also help identification. Hawks often choose exposed perches like tall trees, telephone poles, or utility wires to survey for prey. Red-tailed Hawks frequently use these prominent lookout points. Other species, like Cooper’s Hawks, may prefer concealed perches within dense tree cover, reflecting their hunting strategies.
Hunting behavior provides insights into a hawk’s identity. Some hawks, like the Red-tailed Hawk, are known for perch hunting, waiting from an elevated position before swooping on prey. They also engage in soaring and diving. Accipiters are agile fliers that pursue prey through dense vegetation, often surprising songbirds. Their hunting style is influenced by their wing structure, which dictates their ability to maneuver and catch prey.
Understanding Habitat and Geography
A hawk’s preferred environment and geographical distribution aid identification. Different hawk species are associated with specific habitats, narrowing down possibilities. Red-tailed Hawks are adaptable, thriving in open country, including deserts, grasslands, agricultural fields, and urban areas, often near scattered trees. Red-shouldered Hawks are typically found in deciduous woodlands, frequently near water sources like rivers and swamps. Cooper’s Hawks are common in wooded habitats, from deep forests to suburban backyards.
Geographical distribution also aids identification. Some hawk species are year-round residents, while others are migratory, moving seasonally between breeding and wintering grounds. Broad-winged Hawks, for instance, are known for their spectacular migrations, forming large groups called “kettles” during their autumn migration. Understanding a hawk species’ typical range helps confirm identification, as some species are not found in particular regions.
Distinguishing Common Hawk Species
Applying these identification methods to common hawk species helps understanding. The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large, widespread Buteo, recognized by its broad wings, short tail, and distinctive reddish upper tail feathers in adults. It often exhibits a dark belly band and dark patagial marks on its underwings. Red-tailed Hawks are frequently seen soaring over open fields or perched prominently on poles and trees.
The Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized Accipiter with broad, rounded wings and a long, rounded tail. Adults have a blue-gray back, warm reddish barring on their underparts, and a contrasting black cap. Cooper’s Hawks often fly with a flap-flap-glide pattern and are commonly found in wooded habitats, including suburban areas, where they hunt birds.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) is the smallest Accipiter, appearing small-headed with short, rounded wings and a long, square-tipped tail. Adults are slaty blue-gray above with narrow, horizontal red-orange bars on the breast. This species is known for agile flight through dense woods and can be distinguished from the Cooper’s Hawk by its smaller size and less pronounced head projection in flight.
The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a small, compact Buteo with broad wings that appear pointed in flight and a short, square tail. Adults have reddish-brown heads, barred underparts, and broad black and white tail bands. These hawks are typically found in deciduous forests and are notable for forming large migratory groups, or “kettles,” during autumn migration.
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a medium-sized Buteo characterized by barred reddish underparts and a strongly banded tail. In flight, translucent crescents near the wingtips are often visible. This hawk is a woodland species, often found near water. Its flight can sometimes resemble an Accipiter’s, with several quick flaps followed by a glide. It has a distinctive loud, shrill call.