Hawks are predatory birds belonging to the family Accipitridae, often called raptors. These birds of prey possess hooked beaks and powerful talons, adapting them for hunting vertebrates and invertebrates. Florida’s subtropical climate and unique geography, especially its position along major avian flyways, create a habitat for both year-round resident species and seasonal visitors. Understanding the types of hawks in the state requires distinguishing between those that remain permanently and those that pass through during annual migrations.
Resident Hawks of Florida
The state’s year-round hawk population is characterized by successful species adapted to varied ecosystems, from suburban neighborhoods to dense wetlands. The Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is the most commonly observed hawk throughout Florida, thriving in forested habitats near water, such as swamps, river bottoms, and wooded suburban areas. This medium-sized raptor is identified by its striking plumage, featuring a reddish-brown barred chest, checkered black-and-white flight feathers, and a strongly banded tail. They are particularly vocal, frequently announcing their presence with a distinctive, piercing series of “kee-aah” calls.
Another widespread year-round resident is the Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), a larger and bulkier raptor that prefers more open environments. These hawks are frequently seen soaring on rising columns of warm air called thermals or perched conspicuously on utility poles and tall trees overlooking fields. Adults are easily recognized by the brick-red coloration of their broad, short tail, which is visible from above and below. In flight, a key identification feature is the dark band of streaking across their pale belly, often referred to as the “belly band”. Red-Tailed Hawks primarily hunt small mammals in these open areas.
A less common, yet permanent, Florida resident is the Short-Tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), a tropical species whose U.S. range is mostly limited to the Florida peninsula. This small Buteo is unique among its relatives because it primarily preys on other birds, which it captures in mid-air. It can be seen in two color morphs: a dark morph that is nearly all black and a light morph that is dark above and pale below. The Short-Tailed Hawk has a small population, estimated at only around 500 individuals statewide.
Migratory and Less Frequent Visitors
Florida’s location on the Atlantic Flyway means its skies are regularly traversed by species traveling between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering habitats. The Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is the most famous of these seasonal visitors, known for spectacular fall migrations. These smaller Buteos travel in massive, swirling flocks called “kettles,” using rising air currents to conserve energy as they journey toward Central and South America. Thousands of individuals can sometimes be observed in a single day as they pass through narrow coastal funnels in September and October.
Two other common seasonal visitors are the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) and the Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), both belonging to the group known as Accipiters. They share a similar appearance, with blue-gray backs and rufous-colored chests in adults, but the Cooper’s Hawk is noticeably larger, roughly the size of a crow. The Sharp-Shinned Hawk, in contrast, is the smallest hawk species in North America.
These Accipiters are found near wooded areas, often hunting smaller songbirds near backyard feeders. While a few Cooper’s Hawks may reside year-round in northern and central Florida, the majority seen in the winter are migrants, especially in the southern part of the state. Distinguishing between the two species in flight can be challenging, but the Cooper’s Hawk has a larger head that projects further forward past the wings, whereas the smaller Sharp-Shinned Hawk often appears to have a smaller, more rounded head.
Key Identification Features and Flight Patterns
Identifying hawks relies on their general body shape, or silhouette, and their flight style. Hawks are broadly categorized into two main groups based on these characteristics: Buteos and Accipiters. Buteos, which include the Red-Tailed and Broad-Winged Hawks, are characterized by their robust bodies, broad, rounded wings, and relatively short tails.
Their flight pattern is adapted for energy-efficient soaring, where they ride thermals in wide, slow circles, often with minimal flapping. When they flap, the wingbeats are slow and deep, allowing them to remain aloft while scanning open country below. Accipiters, such as the Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawks, exhibit a completely different profile. They are built for agility, possessing shorter, rounded wings and a distinctly long, narrow tail that acts as a rudder for tight turns.
The Accipiter flight style is a rapid series of quick wing flaps followed by a short, level glide, often described as a “flap-flap-glide” rhythm. This quick, purposeful movement allows them to maneuver through dense forest cover and ambush prey with precision. Recognizing whether a bird is a broad-winged, soaring Buteo or a short-winged, flap-and-glide Accipiter provides the initial step in identifying the specific hawk species flying over Florida’s diverse landscape.