Hawks are diurnal raptors, meaning their activity is restricted entirely to the hours of light. They possess exceptional visual acuity adapted for use in bright sunlight. Unlike nocturnal predators such as owls, hawks lack the specialized eye structure necessary to spot prey effectively in low-light conditions. Their strategy relies on high visibility to detect subtle movements from great distances.
The General Diurnal Hunting Schedule
A hawk’s hunting day typically begins shortly after sunrise, as soon as the available light is sufficient for them to see clearly from their perches or while soaring. This initial period is often a burst of activity, taking advantage of small mammals and birds that are newly active and foraging after the night. Hunting continues until civil twilight, when the sun dips just below the horizon and the landscape darkens.
The most active period, or peak hunting time, generally spans from mid-morning to late afternoon. During this window, hawks continuously patrol their territories, alternating between soaring high and observing from elevated perches. This sustained activity demands frequent, productive attempts throughout the day to meet high energy expenditure. The late afternoon often sees a final surge in hunting intensity as the hawks secure a sufficient meal before returning to their nocturnal roosting sites.
Environmental Factors That Influence Hunting Activity
The timing of a hawk’s hunt is heavily influenced by external ecological and atmospheric conditions. Strong visual acuity is paramount, meaning that clear weather with ample sunlight maximizes the hawk’s ability to locate potential prey. Cloud cover or dense fog can significantly reduce the effective hunting range of a hawk, causing a reduction in activity.
One major driver of midday hunting activity, particularly for broad-winged species, is the formation of thermals. Thermals are columns of warm, rising air created when the sun heats the ground. Hawks, especially those in the Buteo genus, utilize these currents to gain altitude and soar effortlessly while scanning for prey. This conserves substantial energy that would otherwise be spent flapping their wings.
The activity patterns of their prey also influence the hawk’s daily schedule. Small rodents and songbirds, which constitute a large portion of the diet, exhibit peak foraging activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Hunting during these specific times maximizes the hawks’ chances of encountering moving, conspicuous targets.
How Hunting Times Vary Among Hawk Species
While the general rule is diurnal hunting, specific hawk genera show variations based on their distinct hunting methods and preferred habitat.
Buteos
The large, broad-winged Buteos, such as the Red-tailed Hawk, are primarily soaring hunters that favor open country. Their hunting schedule is closely tied to the presence of midday thermals, allowing them to circle with minimal effort and then dive rapidly onto unsuspecting prey below.
Accipiters
In contrast, the slender, shorter-winged Accipiters, including Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, are forest dwellers that hunt primarily by ambush. Their reliance on sudden speed and maneuverability within dense cover means they are less dependent on the peak thermal activity of midday. These species often exhibit strong hunting peaks closer to sunrise and sunset, reflecting the active foraging periods of the small birds they prey upon.
Harriers
Harriers, such as the Northern Harrier, employ a specialized hunting flight low over open fields and marshes. They often hunt during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk, when low light and ground visibility are better suited for their method of quartering the ground to flush out small, hidden prey.