Birds of prey often capture the public’s imagination, and among them, a familiar term, “chicken hawk,” frequently arises when discussing birds that might target domestic poultry. This phrase does not refer to a single bird species but rather serves as a colloquial umbrella for various raptors known for preying on chickens.
Understanding the Term “Chicken Hawk”
The term “chicken hawk” is an informal expression, not a scientific classification. It refers to various raptors with a reputation for preying on domestic fowl, highlighting a perceived threat to poultry. Historically, birds frequenting farmyards and consuming chickens became known by this name.
General Appearance of Common “Chicken Hawks”
Birds commonly called “chicken hawks” share physical characteristics typical of medium to large raptors. Many exhibit broad, rounded wings and a relatively short, wide tail, aiding in soaring and navigation. Their stout bodies contribute to a powerful build for capturing prey. Plumage typically includes shades of brown on their upperparts, with paler undersides that can feature streaking or barring in white, rufous, or light brown.
Key Distinguishing Features for Identification
Identifying these birds involves observing several specific visual cues. Plumage often shows common patterns such as streaking on the breast or distinct banding across the belly. Tail shape and patterns are also important; some species have long, narrow tails, while others feature broad, fanned tails with various banding designs.
Wing shape and their posture in flight offer further clues, with some hawks displaying rounded wings for agile flight and others holding broad wings for soaring. Eye color can range from yellow in younger birds to orange or red in adults, and some species exhibit unique facial markings. Observing flight patterns, such as soaring in wide circles or executing a characteristic flap-flap-glide, also aids in identification.
Common Species Often Called “Chicken Hawks”
Two prominent raptors often called “chicken hawks” are the Red-tailed Hawk and the Cooper’s Hawk.
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large hawk with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Adults are typically brown above and pale below, often featuring a streaked belly and a dark band between the shoulder and wrist on the underside of their wings. The most distinguishing feature of an adult Red-tailed Hawk is its brick-red tail, which is uniformly colored above and light buff-orange below. Juveniles, however, have brown tails with dark banding until they mature.
Cooper’s Hawk
The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk with broad, rounded wings and a very long tail. Adults are steely blue-gray on their upperparts with warm reddish bars on their underparts and thick, dark bands across their tail. A distinctive black cap on their head contrasts with a lighter nape.
Adult eyes are typically orange to red, while immature birds have yellow eyes. In flight, Cooper’s Hawks often exhibit a characteristic flap-flap-glide pattern. Their long, rounded tail helps differentiate them from similar species.
Differentiating from Other Raptors
Distinguishing common “chicken hawks” from other raptors involves observing key differences in size, shape, and flight patterns. Vultures, for instance, are generally larger, often seen soaring with their wings held in a “V” shape, and typically have featherless heads. Falcons, in contrast, possess long, pointed wings and exhibit rapid, powerful wing beats for speed. Hawks generally have broader, more rounded wings and longer tails compared to falcons.