Tucson, nestled within the diverse Sonoran Desert, offers a unique setting for observing various hawk species. The region’s distinct blend of arid landscapes, riparian corridors, and urban development creates a rich tapestry of habitats that support a wide array of raptors.
Common Hawks of Tucson
Several hawk species are frequently encountered across Tucson’s varied landscapes. The Red-tailed Hawk stands out as a large, widespread raptor often seen soaring high or perched prominently, making it North America’s most common bird of prey. The Harris’s Hawk is notable for its cooperative hunting strategies, often seen in social groups, a unique behavior among raptors. Cooper’s Hawks are agile, medium-sized raptors that pursue small birds through dense vegetation, frequently appearing in urban and suburban areas.
The Swainson’s Hawk is a migratory raptor known for its long-distance journeys between North and South America, often gathering in large flocks, known as “kettles,” during migration. The Zone-tailed Hawk, with its dark plumage, can be seen in the region, often mimicking the flight style of Turkey Vultures.
Telling Tucson’s Hawks Apart
Distinguishing Tucson’s various hawk species requires attention to specific visual cues, including size, plumage, and flight patterns. The Red-tailed Hawk, a large buteo, typically exhibits brownish upperparts, paler underparts, and often a dark belly band. Its namesake reddish tail, visible from above, is a key adult identifier, while juveniles have a brown tail with dark barring. In flight, Red-tails display broad, rounded wings and often a pale, somewhat square-shaped area near their wingtips.
The Harris’s Hawk, a medium to large raptor, is characterized by its dark chocolate-brown plumage, distinctive rufous or chestnut patches on its shoulders and thighs, and a long black tail with a white base and tip. Its long yellow legs are also a noticeable feature. In contrast, the Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized accipiter with a long, banded tail that appears rounded at the tip. Adults have a blue-gray back and a salmon-colored, striped breast, coupled with piercing red eyes. Cooper’s Hawks exhibit a rapid, shallow wingbeat in flight, expertly navigating through trees.
Swainson’s Hawks are large buteos with long, tapered wings and a relatively small head. Many light morph adults show a dark “bib” on their breast, creating a hooded appearance, and light wing linings that contrast with darker flight feathers, giving a two-toned effect from below. The Zone-tailed Hawk is a sleek, blackish raptor with long wings, often mistaken for a Turkey Vulture due to its similar flight profile, including holding its wings in a slight dihedral and rocking. However, a closer look reveals its feathered head and a distinctive broad white band on its tail, distinguishing it from the unfeathered head and plain tail of a vulture.
Finding Hawks in Tucson
Tucson’s diverse ecosystems provide numerous opportunities for hawk observation. Red-tailed Hawks, being highly adaptable, can be found across almost all habitats, from riparian woodlands and mountains to agricultural fields and urban areas, often perching on elevated structures like telephone poles or trees. Cooper’s Hawks are common residents in urban Tucson, frequently seen in neighborhoods with mature trees, parks, golf courses, and cemeteries, especially where bird feeders attract their prey.
Harris’s Hawks are typically found in saguaro deserts and brushlands, and occasionally in suburban areas with large trees suitable for nesting. Their presence is often linked to areas with abundant mesquite and saguaro cacti. Swainson’s Hawks are best observed during their migration periods, particularly in open agricultural areas like the Santa Cruz Flats northwest of Tucson, where they gather in large numbers to feed on insects before continuing their journey.
Zone-tailed Hawks can be found in areas of uneven ground such as foothills, mesas, cliffs, and canyons, especially near waterways. Sabino Canyon and the overlooks on Mount Lemmon during summer months are good locations to spot them, as they are highly aerial and often soar. Observing hawks often involves scanning the skies, particularly for soaring birds using thermal currents, or checking prominent perches like power poles and tall trees.