mortarboard are some of the most bewitching boo of prey , known for their keen eyesight , herculean talon , and incredible hunting skills . With a broad motley of species find across the ball , these raptors do in dissimilar size of it , colors , and habitats . In this scout , we will explore26 types of hawk , spotlight their unique features , behaviors , and preferred environs .
Understanding the differenttypes of hawkscan help birdwatchers and nature partizan distinguish them more easy . Some hawks prefer dense timber , while others thrive in open grasslands or coastal regions . From the ferocious northerly Goshawk to the societal Harris ’s Hawk , each species has distinctive trait that specify them apart .
Whether you ’re an avid birdwatcher or just rum about these unbelievable raptors , this list oftypes of hawkswill provide valuable penetration . With detailed descriptions and pictures , you ’ll be able to recognise these boo in the wild and appreciate their important role in the ecosystem .
Different Types of Hawks
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
The Common Black Hawk is in the main found along the coastline of Mexico and Central America , where it fly high in wetland environments . Unlike many other hawks , this mintage has a diet that heavy bank on aquatic creatures such as Crab , fish , and amphibians . Its glowering plume and potent build make it well - suited for hunting near pee .
While it is mostly confined to tropical regions , the Common Black Hawk now and then ventures into the United States during the education time of year . It has been spotted in United States Department of State like Texas , New Mexico , Arizona , and California . However , sightings are rare since these birds do not typically migrate far from their coastal habitats .
This hawk is comparatively big , with a wingspread pass on up to 50 inches ( 127 cm ) and a body weightiness between 22 and 46 ounces ( 630–1300 deoxyguanosine monophosphate ) . Its impressive size , coupled with its grim feather , makes it a striking presence in its natural habitat .
Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The Red - Shouldered Hawk is describe after the reddish coloring on its shoulders , which contrasts against the sheer black and white blackball on its extension and tail . It is often pick up before it is seen , as it emits a distinctive “ kee - ahh ” call that carry through the air .
This species is commonly found in the easterly United States , though smaller population be along the West Coast . While they are twelvemonth - round house physician in their elementary image , some transmigrate into southeastern Canada during the breeding season . They favour forested home ground with unresolved canopies , but they are also known to inhabit suburban expanse , especially during wintertime .
Red - Shouldered Hawks are opportunistic hunters , feed on a variety of animals , including minuscule mammalian , reptiles , amphibians , and even with child insect . Their adaptability to different habitats , combined with their striking appearance and classifiable call , makes them one of the more recognizable mortarboard in North America .
Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus)
The Pale Chanting Goshawk is a extremely adaptable bird of prey establish across much of Africa . It thrives in diverse habitats , including savanna , waterless scrublands , and even desert region . This power to live in harsh surround make it one of the most far-flung hawks in its range .
Unlike many other raptorial bird that swear only on aeriform hunting , the Pale Chanting Goshawk is known for its ground - hunt techniques . While it may swoop down to snatch prey , it often chases lizard , spider , and insects on foot . to boot , it is known to steal food from other birds of quarry by attacking them after they have made a killing .
This prominent Bronx cheer is easy to recognize with its soft gray eubstance , bold black and white barring on its underparts , and vivacious orange beak and leg . Its name comes from its melodious call , a rare and distinguishing feature article among hawks , making it as musical as it is beautiful .
Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The Sharp - Shinned Hawk is one of the smallest accipiters in North America , yet it is an fantastically skilled and agile hunter . These hawks have a streamlined show , with gray-haired - blue feathers on their headland , back , and wings , while their underparts expose a mixture of white and rich orange barring .
These fowl have an extensive mountain range that stretch out from Canada and Alaska down through the United States , Mexico , and into Central and South America . They breed in the northerly parts of their range and migrate south for the winter , sometimes reaching as far as the Caribbean . Their adaptability allows them to flourish in various wooded surround .
Sharp - Shinned Hawks are expert bird Hunter , using their sharp talons to snatch up modest birds mid - flight . Their name comes from their unique leg structure , which helps them efficiently fleece feathers before eating their prey . These hawks are often see flutter through dense forests in search of their next repast .
Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red - Tailed Hawk is easily recognized by the reddish chromaticity on the underside of its tail feathers , especially when in flight . This distinct coloration makes it one of the most identifiable hawks in North America . Like many other hawk , their prat pattern process as a key lineament for distinguishing them from other birds of prey .
This specie is the most widespread war hawk in the United States , make it highly probable to be spotted anywhere in North America . While they can be reckon perched on trees or poles , they are best name in the air , where their tail color and flight patterns become more plain .
Red - Tailed Hawks exhibit a variety of plumage colors , ranging from almost whitened to glum brown or blackened . They typically multiply in northern North America , transmigrate between the southern U.S. and northern Mexico in the winter and Canada during summertime . Their adaptability allows them to thrive in diverse environments , including grassland , wood , and even urban areas .
Rough-Legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
The Rough - Legged Hawk is a rare ken liken to the Red - Tailed Hawk . These birds have unique characteristics that set them aside , including their thickly feathered legs , which provide insulation against the cold . This adjustment allows them to survive in harsh Arctic conditions , where they primarily reside during the summer calendar month .
Unlike many other mortarboard , the Rough - Legged Hawk spend most of its fourth dimension in the tundra . It breeds in the Arctic before migrating to the south into the continental United States for the wintertime . Because of their remote breeding grounds , they are not commonly seen in most parts of North America .
This species has a typical hunting behavior . It is one of the few birds of quarry that can levitate in midair while scan the ground for prey . This hovering proficiency , along with their large , thickset build and feather - embrace leg , makes them well-situated to identify even from a length .
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest Buteo species in North America , and its name comes from its distinctive rust - colored plumage . With a wingspread of up to 60 inch ( 1.5 meters ) and a weight of nearly 5 pounds ( 2,270 gm ) , this mortarboard is an telling sight in the undefended landscape of the westerly United States .
Unlike many migratory birds of prey , the Ferruginous Hawk continue in its preferred habitat class - orotund . During winter , they often perch in small groups of six to twelve birds . These hawk are highly adaptable squatter , build nest on the ground , in tree , or even on rocky ledges tower over a thousand groundwork gamey .
Due to their large size , their diet consists mostly of modest mammals like prairie dogs and rabbit . They hunt by sailplane mellow in the sky before diving down or by hopping along the primer in chase of prey . Ferruginous Hawks come in two color variations — brightness level and morose — bring to their unique appearing .
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
As its name suggests , the Gray Hawk is in the main covered in cushy grizzly feather , with a clear-cut ignominious - and - clean stripy tail . Its snoot and ramification feature a mix of yellow and gray tones . While mutual in tropical regions of Central America , this war hawk is rarely seen in the United States , except for small population in southern Arizona , Texas , and New Mexico .
Gray Hawks have a strong penchant for trace lizards , which make up the majority of their diet . They are typically get perched in tree diagram canopy , patiently waiting to ambuscade prey . This hunting style tolerate them to blend into their environment and rap with preciseness .
One of the best ways to detect a Gray Hawk in its habitat is by its distinctive three - note whistle , which voice like “ kah - lee - oh . ” This call is used for communication between mates and to give dominion , making it an essential part of their behaviour in the wild .
Rufous Crab Hawk (Buteogallus aequinoctialis)
The Rufous Crab Hawk is a extremely specialized raptor with a qualified range , found primarily along the mangrove - trace coasts from Venezuela to southern Brazil . Unlike more adaptable mortarboard , this species depends on crabs as its primary solid food germ , limiting its habitat to coastal regions where these crustacean fly high . Fossil disk paint a picture they once live the Caribbean , but today , they are no longer find there .
These hawks have a unparalleled hunt technique , perch on branch and swooping down as Cancer emerge from their burrows . Their acuate , dependant greenback are perfectly adapt to breaking through crab shells before eating . They are also ofttimes seen fly over mudflats , scanning for the movement of crab colonies below .
alas , the Rufous Crab Hawk is sort out as Near Threatened due to home ground destruction . The abasement of mangrove forest has led to a decline in their population , make their striking in - escape courtship displays in the spring an increasingly uncommon sight .
Black-Faced Hawk (Leucopternis melanops)
The Black - Faced Hawk has a striking and almost cartoonish appearance , with contrast black - and - white plumage . Its white underpart stand out against its black fender , which are speckled withwhite spots . Its most defining feature article , however , is the bold disastrous stripe across its oculus , giving the impression of a masque . Its hopeful orange beak and leg further summate to its distinctive feeling .
This baffling hawk is native to the dense rainforests and Rhizophora mangle of South America . Unlike many other bird of prey , it is rarely check soaring in the sky . Instead , it prefers to roost silently below the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree canopy , expect for the perfect moment to strike . Its diet primarily consist of snakes and amphibian , which it trance with fleet , accurate movement .
Although the Black - Faced Hawk ’s habitat is gradually shrinking due to deforestation , it is currently list as a species of Least Concern . However , continued preservation efforts are necessary to insure its population stay stable in the future .
Ridgeway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)
The Ridgeway ’s Hawk has one of the most restricted ranges of any hawk species , being found only on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola . Due to habitat exit , food shortages , and the menace of botfly larvae attacking their unseasoned , this mintage is critically scupper . Conservation programs are in plaza to protect the remaining population and encourage spawn achiever .
One of the Ridgeway ’s Hawk ’s most captivating demeanour is its nesting strategy . Rather than building a nest from scratch , it often constructs its home directly on top of a palmchat ’s nest . The palmchat , a small bird aboriginal to the Dominican Republic , builds orotund communal nest , which the war hawk repurposes for its own habit . This results in a unique two - coinage nesting organisation .
exploit to save this coinage have been on-going , let in habitat restoration and botfly intervention program . While the universe rest dangerously down , environmentalist continue to work toward ensuring this rare mortarboard ’s survival .
Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius)
The Hawaiian Hawk , or ‘ Io , is the only hawk species native to Hawaii and is found exclusively on the Big Island . Once relegate as Vulnerable due to habitat destruction and human action , its population has since reverberate , improving its condition to Near Threatened . It remains a symbol of Hawaiian culture and is often associated with Hawaiian royalty .
Unlike migratory hawks , the ‘ Io ride out in its territory yr - round . It is ferociously protective of its nesting area and does not tolerate intruders . These hawk are know for their patience while hunt , often perching motionless before launch a sudden and powerful work stoppage on their prey . Their dieting admit small mammalian , dame , and worm .
A singular trait of the Hawaiian Hawk is its generative strategy . Unlike many bird of prey that lay multiple eggs , the ‘ Io typically lays only one . Despite this grim reproduction rate , its warm territorial instincts and power to flourish in various habitat have helped stabilise its universe in late old age .
Short-Tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
The Short - Tailed Hawk is a unique species that bears a close resemblance to a falcon due to its compendious soundbox and short tail . It is primarily found in tropic area of Central and South America , with a small population extending into Florida and occasionally appear near the Mexico - Arizona border .
Despite its widespread dispersion in Latin America , the Short - Tailed Hawk remain uncommon in the United States . The Florida population is estimated to be around 500 individuals .
This hawk specialize in hunting small razzing , employing an strange proficiency . It soars luxuriously in the sky , almost out of sight , and then plummet down at high speeds to trance razzing mid - flight or while they are perch . However , this strategy has a comparatively downcast success rate of only about 10 % .
Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
Harris ’s Hawk is a highly social bird of prey , a uncommon trait among raptors . find in the southwest United States and throughout Mexico , these war hawk are often see in groups rather than alone . Their social body structure follows a rigorous hierarchy , with dominant members feeding first after a hunt .
Unlike many other hawks , Harris ’s Hawks habituate concerted hunt proficiency . They work together to even out out prey and align their attack , increasing their chances of success . This teamwork take a leak them highly effective predators .
These hawks do not migrate , preferring to build permanent dominion in desert lowlands near water sources . They are medium - sized birds , with a wingspan of up to 48 in ( 122 curium ) and a system of weights of around 2 pounds ( 900 g ) . Their word and social nature make them one of the most popular hawks for falconry .
Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)
The Crested Goshawk is a striking bird of prey native to tropic Asia . It grow its name from the classifiable crown of feather on the back of its heading . These birds have a hoar - brown upper body , while their underparts exhibit a mixing of vertical streak and horizontal bars in whitened and brown .
Unlike migratory hawks , Crested Goshawks remain in a fixed dominion throughout their lives . They prefer lowland forests , where they hunt birds , modest mammals , and reptiles . However , they are progressively being espy in wooded urban domain of obtusely populated commonwealth like Taiwan , Malaysia , and Singapore .
Small population of Crested Goshawks also dwell higher height , such as the foothill of the Himalayas in India and Bhutan . Their adaptability to different environments has helped maintain a unchanging population across their reach .
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
The Cooper ’s Hawk is a far-flung species found throughout the United States and Mexico . They breed in northerly region and transmigrate more or less southward during the winter . Their adaptability countenance them to flourish in forests , suburban area , and even urban center .
These hawks nearly resemble the Sharp - Shinned Hawk , with nearly identical feather . The main distinguishing feature is their size — Cooper ’s Hawks are significantly expectant , standing two to six column inch tall than their smaller counterparts .
Cooper ’s Hawks primarily predate on songbirds , which gain them unpopular among birdwatchers . They often target backyardbird feeders , ambushing small bird that garner there . If one is preying on your backyard birds , temporarily removing the feeder may advance it to hunt elsewhere .
Zone-Tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus)
The Zone - go after Hawk is a sleek , predominantlyblack birdof prey aboriginal to the southwestern United States , Mexico , and Central America . One of its most entrancing trait is its remarkable resemblance to turkey vultures . This apery is a survival of the fittest adaptation , earmark the hawk to blend in with scavengers while secretly hunt live prey . Animals that would normally be untrusting of a hawk are less likely to flee from what seems to be a harmless vulture .
Climate change has contributed to the deadening expanding upon of the Zone - Tailed Hawk ’s range . Since the 1990s , population have been increasing , and they are being spotted further northwards in the United States .
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Swainson ’s Hawk is a raptorial bird primarily found in the westerly United States and Mexico . Its range is unique in that it seldom extends east of the Mississippi River , with one small exception : a tiny rearing universe exists in the southern tip of Florida .
This metal money comes in two distinct coloration morphs : a lighter version with bright underparts and a darker one cover in deep Robert Brown . Despite their differences in plumage , both morphs share the same migratory behavior .
Swainson ’s Hawk embarks on one of the retentive migrations of any raptor , traveling over 6,000 miles from North America to Argentina . These hawks begin their journey south in late August , often forming massive flock call “ kettles , ” which can number in the thousands . Some hawks fail to fill out the full migration and instead wintertime in southern Florida .
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
The Northern Goshawk is a powerful and elusive bird that prefers distant forested expanse , make it difficult to spot in the wilderness . It has a slating - gray back , a banded ashen - and - gray underbelly , and a distinctivewhite stripeabove its deep crimson middle , giving it an acute and unnerving appearance .
These razz populate huge region of North America , from the Arctic tundra to the dense forests of Canada and the United States . They breed in the northernmost parts of their scope , migrating southerly during winter in search of intellectual nourishment . Unlike some hawk with specialised diets , Northern Goshawks are opportunistic Orion and will rust a wide variety of prey , including hoot , mammals , and reptilian .
White-Tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
The White - Tailed Hawk is a strikingly beautiful raptor find in southerly Texas and along the coastline of Mexico . It tight resembles the Red - Shouldered Hawk but can be pick out by its white tail , which feature a bluff black dance band at the summit .
These hawks prosper in open prairie and grassland , where they run small mammal . Interestingly , some songbird species take advantage of their comportment by staying close to them for protection against other predators .
One of the most curious behaviors of the White - trail Hawk is its nest - building wont . Each nest contains a individual recollective control stick put at the bottom . Scientists are still unsure why they do this , as the purpose of this conduct remains a enigma .
African Harrier Hawk (Polyboroides typus)
The African Harrier Hawk is a fascinating raptorial bird that inhabits nearly all of sub - Saharan Africa . Unlike many other hawks , it thrives in gamey peak , reaching up to 10,000 foot ( 3,048 m ) . It is also one of the with child hawks on the continent , measuring around 26 inches ( 66 atomic number 96 ) in length and weighing more or less 1.4 pounds ( 635 g ) .
This hawk has a striking appearance with a light gray body and wings , a sinister tail punctuate by a sheer white striation , and touchy blackball on its breast . Its yellow facial skin present it a buzzard - alike look , though it does not scavenge for nutrient .
One of the most unique adjustment of the African Harrier Hawk is its duple - jointed genu . This allow it to turn away its legs in strange ways , take a crap it highly skilled at maneuvering through plastered space . Using this power , it can give ear upside down from leg to raid nests hidden in tree diagram cavities , feeding on small birds , eggs , and even bats .
Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
The Broad - Winged Hawk is a small but knock-down raptorial bird , easy recognized by its summary trunk and blanket wings . These adaptations make it a perfect hunter in dense timber , where it prefers to remain hidden from human activity .
These hawks are commonly found throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada . During the winter , they enter on an over-the-top migration , travel over 4,000 miles to Central and South America . Twice a yr , they complete this demanding journeying , forming massive groups ring “ kettles ” during migration .
During peak migration , grand of Broad - Winged Hawks can be see soar upwards together , using caloric air currents to travel long distance with minimum energy . Birdwatchers in North America eagerly anticipate these seasonal movements , as spy a sky make full with hawks in motion is a truly breathtaking sight .
