The piercing, high-pitched cry of a hawk is one of the most recognizable sounds in nature. These dramatic vocalizations are complex methods of communication used by raptors to convey specific messages across long distances. The screech can vary in pitch and intensity depending on the species and the intended communication, revealing the underlying behavioral needs that drive a hawk to vocalize.
Territorial and Defensive Calls
Hawks frequently use their characteristic screeches to establish and defend the boundaries of their hunting and nesting territories. This vocalization acts as a clear warning to other adult hawks, signaling ownership of a specific area and its resources, such as prime hunting spots or perching trees. By repeatedly emitting a loud cry while soaring overhead, a hawk signals its presence to potential rivals. The intensity of the screech escalates when a rival or another potential threat intrudes into the defended space. This high-intensity scream serves as a deterrent, intended to intimidate the trespasser and avoid a physical confrontation.
Calls Related to Mating and Nesting
During the breeding season, hawks use calls for courtship and communication. The loud, raspy screech is incorporated into aerial displays, where the male performs steep dives and climbs while vocalizing to attract a female and reinforce the pair bond. Once established, pairs use softer, more repetitive calls for contact and coordination around the nest site. These non-screech calls allow mates to signal their location to one another, particularly during food transfers. While the harsh screech is reserved for aggressive defense against intruders, quieter vocalizations are used for the day-to-day coordination required for successful nesting.
Juvenile Begging and Distress Calls
One of the most persistent and commonly heard hawk screeches is the demanding vocalization made by young birds, known as the begging call. This is a high-pitched, often continuous shriek or wailing cry used by nestlings and recently fledged juveniles to solicit food from their parents. The juvenile call is typically more repeated and higher pitched than the adult’s single, drawn-out scream. For several weeks after leaving the nest, young hawks continue to use this insistent call while they are learning to hunt independently. This persistent vocalization is a fundamental behavior for ensuring survival during the transition to self-sufficiency. Though the sound can be mistaken for distress, it is usually a sign of a hungry fledgling demanding parental provisioning.
Why We Hear the Red-Tailed Hawk Most Often
The loud, descending, hoarse scream associated with a hawk is most frequently produced by the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). This species is one of the most common and widespread raptors in North America, thriving in various habitats, including urban and suburban areas. Its adaptability allows it to hunt and nest near human populations across a vast range. Beyond its natural prevalence, the Red-tailed Hawk’s vocalization has become the standard “hawk sound” in popular culture. Hollywood sound editors historically chose its powerful, hair-raising shriek for use in movies and television shows, often substituting it for the calls of other birds of prey, such as the Bald Eagle. This widespread use of the stock sound effect has cemented the Red-tailed Hawk’s specific call in the public consciousness as the definitive sound of a soaring raptor.