Hawks, birds of prey, are a part of Ohio’s diverse wildlife. They prey on small mammals, birds, and insects. Ohio’s varied landscapes, from dense forests to open fields and even urban areas, provide suitable habitats for many hawk species.
Commonly Sighted Hawks
The Red-tailed Hawk is frequently observed throughout Ohio. This large hawk, a type of Buteo, is recognized by its broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Adults have a rusty-red tail, which is often visible even when soaring overhead, though juvenile Red-tails have brown, banded tails. Most Red-tailed Hawks in the eastern United States, including Ohio, exhibit a white chest with a dark “belly-band” of streaks.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized raptor often found in woodlands near rivers and swamps. These hawks have dark-brown and white checkered wings, a reddish-brown chest with horizontal barring, and a tail with black bands alternating with white bands. Their rusty-red colored shoulders are often visible when perched. Red-shouldered Hawks are known for their distinctive, high-pitched “kee-aah” call, which Blue Jays sometimes mimic.
The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk with shorter, rounded wings and a long tail that has several dark bands and a distinct white band at the tip. Adults have slate-gray upperparts and a dark cap, with rusty-colored barring on their underparts. Cooper’s Hawks are skilled hunters of birds and small mammals, often navigating through dense tree canopies. They are sometimes mistaken for the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk, but Cooper’s Hawks have a larger head and a more rounded tail.
Seasonal and Less Common Hawks
Ohio also hosts several hawk species that are seasonal visitors or less commonly encountered residents. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, the smallest hawk in North America, has short, rounded wings and a long, square-tipped tail for agile flight through dense woodlands. Adults are slate-gray above with narrow, horizontal red-orange bars on their breast, while juveniles are brown with vertical streaks. Sharp-shinned Hawks are impressive flyers, adept at catching small birds.
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small to medium-sized hawk with broad wings that taper, displaying a characteristic black-and-white banded short tail. These migratory birds breed in the northeastern United States and travel south for winter, sometimes migrating thousands of miles to Central or South America. They are often found in forests near rivers and open fields, hunting from a concealed perch.
The Northern Harrier is a slender hawk recognized by its long wings and tail, along with a prominent white rump patch visible in flight. Males are dark gray above, while females are dark brown, with both sexes having white underparts. Northern Harriers are unique among hawks for their owl-like facial disc, which aids their hearing, and they fly low over open habitats like grasslands and marshes with wings held in a V-shape.
The Rough-legged Hawk is a large, brown hawk that visits Ohio during the winter months, breeding in the Arctic. Its name comes from the feathers covering its legs down to its feet, which provide insulation in cold climates. Rough-legged Hawks have long, white tail feathers with dark bands near the edge and display dark wrist patches and a black belly band. They hover over open fields, searching for small rodents.
Identifying Ohio’s Hawks
Identifying hawks involves observing their size, shape, and flight patterns. Buteos, like the Red-tailed Hawk, are large birds with broad wings and short, wide tails, designed for soaring in wide circles. Accipiters, such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk, are agile, with shorter, rounded wings and long, rudder-like tails, enabling them to maneuver through dense cover.
Wing shape and how a hawk holds its wings during flight provide important clues. Some hawks, like the Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Harrier, hold their wings in a shallow “V” shape while soaring. Others, like Red-shouldered Hawks, may display translucent crescents near their wingtips. Tail characteristics, including length, shape (rounded or squared), and banding patterns, help distinguish species. Plumage and coloration, including specific markings like belly bands or shoulder patches, are also useful, though color variations can occur within a species.
Where to Find Them
Hawks can be found across Ohio in a variety of habitats, ranging from dense forests to open fields and even urban environments. Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen perched on roadside poles or soaring over open country, including grasslands, croplands, and suburban areas. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer mature deciduous woodlands, especially near rivers and swamps, and may also inhabit suburban woodlands and gardens.
Cooper’s Hawks inhabit deciduous forests and open woodlands, and they are increasingly found in suburban areas, often attracted to bird feeders where they hunt smaller birds. Migratory species like Broad-winged Hawks are found within the tree canopy of wooded habitats, particularly in southeastern Ohio. Northern Harriers favor open habitats such as grasslands, fields, prairies, and wetlands, where they hunt low over the ground. Winter visitors like the Rough-legged Hawk are found in open country, including prairies, deserts, and fields. Birding hotspots such as Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Green Lawn Cemetery also offer opportunities to spot various hawk species, particularly during spring and fall migrations.