When it comes to hawks in the United States, identifying them can be trickier than you might expect. It’s easy to assume that any bird with “hawk” in its name is, well, a hawk – but the truth is that’s not always the case. Some species commonly referred to as hawks aren’t true hawks, while other true hawks may go by names you wouldn’t expect. Whether you’re a bird watching enthusiast or just curious about these fascinating birds of prey, this guide will help you navigate the confusing world of hawk identification and introduce you to the various types found across the U.S.
True Hawks
There are only 3 members of the Accipiter family, which is the hawk family. Let’s look at those first.
This hawk is restricted to the Big Island. As native animals have disappeared, it has adapted to eating introduced species like rats, lizards, and non-native birds.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a cooperative raptor. It will work with other bird species to achieve a goal of removing a larger predator from the area or distracting prey.
The Short-tailed Hawk is actually a Central and South American bird. There is an isolated population in Florida. When they migrate, they all south to the Florida Keys, and this is a fantastic place to see them.
Length: 15.3-17.3 in (39-44 cm)
Weight: 13.6-16.9 oz (385-480 g)
Wingspan: 32.7-40.5 in (83-103 cm)
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Photo by The Lilac Breasted RollerRangeCallAudio by Richard E. Webster
Size
The Gray or Grey Hawk is a lizard expert and will eat a range of them. This is reflected in where it is found – drier areas of southwestern U.S. and Central America.
When it migrates to South America, the Broad-winged Hawk gathers in huge numbers. These flocks are called kettles and can be an amazing site as they swirl around in the sky.
The Swainson’s Hawk has the longest migration of all our raptors and can fly over 7,000 to their second homes in South America.
Length: 17-22in (43-56 cm)
Weight: 17.6-27.2 oz (500-1170 g)
Wingspan: 46-54in (117-137 cm
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Photo by Hans Hillewaert
Range
Call
Audio by Bobby Wilcox
Size
Common Black Hawks act a bit like herons when they are hunting in shallow waters. They will use their wings to startle prey or to herd it to a better place for it to catch them.
Turkey Vultures look similar to the Zone-tailed Hawk in flight, and researchers think that these crafty hawks mimic the behavior of the vulture because potential prey know that the vulture is no threat to them.
Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
Weight: 21.4-23.5 oz (607-667 g)
Wingspan: 46.9-55.1 in (119-140 cm)
Geranoaetus Hawk
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Photo by Agecom Bahia
Rang
Call
Audio by Manuel Grosselet
Size
The White-tailed Hawk has an unusual decoration for its nest. It always has a long stick stuck in it, and no one knows why.
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm )
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Final Thoughts
So, that is the hawks in the United States. We have:
3 True Hawks
1 Harrier Hawk
1 Geranoaetus Hawk
11 Buteo Hawks
These birds can be difficult to identify in the wild, or to be more exact, in the air! I try to find one feature that I can remember and go from there.
FAQ
What is the difference between hawks and true hawks?
True hawks generally have longer tails and shorter, rounded wings. The name hawk came into common use for other raptor species in the genus buteo and has just stuck.
What is the most common hawk in the United States?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen and reported in a variety of different habitats.
What is the biggest hawk in the United States?
The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest and probably the most vicious too!
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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Photo by naturespicsonline
Range
Call
Audio by Daniel Parker
Size
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common raptors across the United States and also amongst the largest.
This hawk is restricted to the Big Island. As native animals have disappeared, it has adapted to eating introduced species like rats, lizards, and non-native birds.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a cooperative raptor. It will work with other bird species to achieve a goal of removing a larger predator from the area or distracting prey.
The Short-tailed Hawk is actually a Central and South American bird. There is an isolated population in Florida. When they migrate, they all south to the Florida Keys, and this is a fantastic place to see them.
Length: 15.3-17.3 in (39-44 cm)
Weight: 13.6-16.9 oz (385-480 g)
Wingspan: 32.7-40.5 in (83-103 cm)
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Photo by The Lilac Breasted RollerRangeCallAudio by Richard E. Webster
Size
The Gray or Grey Hawk is a lizard expert and will eat a range of them. This is reflected in where it is found – drier areas of southwestern U.S. and Central America.
When it migrates to South America, the Broad-winged Hawk gathers in huge numbers. These flocks are called kettles and can be an amazing site as they swirl around in the sky.
The Swainson’s Hawk has the longest migration of all our raptors and can fly over 7,000 to their second homes in South America.
Length: 17-22in (43-56 cm)
Weight: 17.6-27.2 oz (500-1170 g)
Wingspan: 46-54in (117-137 cm
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Photo by Hans Hillewaert
Range
Call
Audio by Bobby Wilcox
Size
Common Black Hawks act a bit like herons when they are hunting in shallow waters. They will use their wings to startle prey or to herd it to a better place for it to catch them.
Turkey Vultures look similar to the Zone-tailed Hawk in flight, and researchers think that these crafty hawks mimic the behavior of the vulture because potential prey know that the vulture is no threat to them.
Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
Weight: 21.4-23.5 oz (607-667 g)
Wingspan: 46.9-55.1 in (119-140 cm)
Geranoaetus Hawk
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Photo by Agecom Bahia
Rang
Call
Audio by Manuel Grosselet
Size
The White-tailed Hawk has an unusual decoration for its nest. It always has a long stick stuck in it, and no one knows why.
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm )
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Final Thoughts
So, that is the hawks in the United States. We have:
3 True Hawks
1 Harrier Hawk
1 Geranoaetus Hawk
11 Buteo Hawks
These birds can be difficult to identify in the wild, or to be more exact, in the air! I try to find one feature that I can remember and go from there.
FAQ
What is the difference between hawks and true hawks?
True hawks generally have longer tails and shorter, rounded wings. The name hawk came into common use for other raptor species in the genus buteo and has just stuck.
What is the most common hawk in the United States?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen and reported in a variety of different habitats.
What is the biggest hawk in the United States?
The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest and probably the most vicious too!
The Northern Goshawk is the fiercest of the true hawks. It will aggressively hunt for food and defend its nest, attacking even humans if they get too close.
The owl-like face of the Northern Harrier is not all that this hawk has in common with our nocturnal friends. They also have exceptional hearing, which they use to help them hunt.
Length: 18.1-19.7 in (46-50 cm)
Weight: 10.6-26.5 oz (300-750 g)
Wingspan: 40.2-46.5 in (102-118 cm)
Buteo Hawks
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Photo by naturespicsonline
Range
Call
Audio by Daniel Parker
Size
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common raptors across the United States and also amongst the largest.
This hawk is restricted to the Big Island. As native animals have disappeared, it has adapted to eating introduced species like rats, lizards, and non-native birds.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a cooperative raptor. It will work with other bird species to achieve a goal of removing a larger predator from the area or distracting prey.
The Short-tailed Hawk is actually a Central and South American bird. There is an isolated population in Florida. When they migrate, they all south to the Florida Keys, and this is a fantastic place to see them.
Length: 15.3-17.3 in (39-44 cm)
Weight: 13.6-16.9 oz (385-480 g)
Wingspan: 32.7-40.5 in (83-103 cm)
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Photo by The Lilac Breasted RollerRangeCallAudio by Richard E. Webster
Size
The Gray or Grey Hawk is a lizard expert and will eat a range of them. This is reflected in where it is found – drier areas of southwestern U.S. and Central America.
When it migrates to South America, the Broad-winged Hawk gathers in huge numbers. These flocks are called kettles and can be an amazing site as they swirl around in the sky.
The Swainson’s Hawk has the longest migration of all our raptors and can fly over 7,000 to their second homes in South America.
Length: 17-22in (43-56 cm)
Weight: 17.6-27.2 oz (500-1170 g)
Wingspan: 46-54in (117-137 cm
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Photo by Hans Hillewaert
Range
Call
Audio by Bobby Wilcox
Size
Common Black Hawks act a bit like herons when they are hunting in shallow waters. They will use their wings to startle prey or to herd it to a better place for it to catch them.
Turkey Vultures look similar to the Zone-tailed Hawk in flight, and researchers think that these crafty hawks mimic the behavior of the vulture because potential prey know that the vulture is no threat to them.
Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
Weight: 21.4-23.5 oz (607-667 g)
Wingspan: 46.9-55.1 in (119-140 cm)
Geranoaetus Hawk
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Photo by Agecom Bahia
Rang
Call
Audio by Manuel Grosselet
Size
The White-tailed Hawk has an unusual decoration for its nest. It always has a long stick stuck in it, and no one knows why.
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm )
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Final Thoughts
So, that is the hawks in the United States. We have:
3 True Hawks
1 Harrier Hawk
1 Geranoaetus Hawk
11 Buteo Hawks
These birds can be difficult to identify in the wild, or to be more exact, in the air! I try to find one feature that I can remember and go from there.
FAQ
What is the difference between hawks and true hawks?
True hawks generally have longer tails and shorter, rounded wings. The name hawk came into common use for other raptor species in the genus buteo and has just stuck.
What is the most common hawk in the United States?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen and reported in a variety of different habitats.
What is the biggest hawk in the United States?
The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest and probably the most vicious too!
The Northern Goshawk is the fiercest of the true hawks. It will aggressively hunt for food and defend its nest, attacking even humans if they get too close.
The owl-like face of the Northern Harrier is not all that this hawk has in common with our nocturnal friends. They also have exceptional hearing, which they use to help them hunt.
Length: 18.1-19.7 in (46-50 cm)
Weight: 10.6-26.5 oz (300-750 g)
Wingspan: 40.2-46.5 in (102-118 cm)
Buteo Hawks
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Photo by naturespicsonline
Range
Call
Audio by Daniel Parker
Size
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common raptors across the United States and also amongst the largest.
This hawk is restricted to the Big Island. As native animals have disappeared, it has adapted to eating introduced species like rats, lizards, and non-native birds.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a cooperative raptor. It will work with other bird species to achieve a goal of removing a larger predator from the area or distracting prey.
The Short-tailed Hawk is actually a Central and South American bird. There is an isolated population in Florida. When they migrate, they all south to the Florida Keys, and this is a fantastic place to see them.
Length: 15.3-17.3 in (39-44 cm)
Weight: 13.6-16.9 oz (385-480 g)
Wingspan: 32.7-40.5 in (83-103 cm)
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Photo by The Lilac Breasted RollerRangeCallAudio by Richard E. Webster
Size
The Gray or Grey Hawk is a lizard expert and will eat a range of them. This is reflected in where it is found – drier areas of southwestern U.S. and Central America.
When it migrates to South America, the Broad-winged Hawk gathers in huge numbers. These flocks are called kettles and can be an amazing site as they swirl around in the sky.
The Swainson’s Hawk has the longest migration of all our raptors and can fly over 7,000 to their second homes in South America.
Length: 17-22in (43-56 cm)
Weight: 17.6-27.2 oz (500-1170 g)
Wingspan: 46-54in (117-137 cm
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Photo by Hans Hillewaert
Range
Call
Audio by Bobby Wilcox
Size
Common Black Hawks act a bit like herons when they are hunting in shallow waters. They will use their wings to startle prey or to herd it to a better place for it to catch them.
Turkey Vultures look similar to the Zone-tailed Hawk in flight, and researchers think that these crafty hawks mimic the behavior of the vulture because potential prey know that the vulture is no threat to them.
Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
Weight: 21.4-23.5 oz (607-667 g)
Wingspan: 46.9-55.1 in (119-140 cm)
Geranoaetus Hawk
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Photo by Agecom Bahia
Rang
Call
Audio by Manuel Grosselet
Size
The White-tailed Hawk has an unusual decoration for its nest. It always has a long stick stuck in it, and no one knows why.
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm )
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Final Thoughts
So, that is the hawks in the United States. We have:
3 True Hawks
1 Harrier Hawk
1 Geranoaetus Hawk
11 Buteo Hawks
These birds can be difficult to identify in the wild, or to be more exact, in the air! I try to find one feature that I can remember and go from there.
FAQ
What is the difference between hawks and true hawks?
True hawks generally have longer tails and shorter, rounded wings. The name hawk came into common use for other raptor species in the genus buteo and has just stuck.
What is the most common hawk in the United States?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen and reported in a variety of different habitats.
What is the biggest hawk in the United States?
The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest and probably the most vicious too!
The Northern Goshawk is the fiercest of the true hawks. It will aggressively hunt for food and defend its nest, attacking even humans if they get too close.
The owl-like face of the Northern Harrier is not all that this hawk has in common with our nocturnal friends. They also have exceptional hearing, which they use to help them hunt.
Length: 18.1-19.7 in (46-50 cm)
Weight: 10.6-26.5 oz (300-750 g)
Wingspan: 40.2-46.5 in (102-118 cm)
Buteo Hawks
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Photo by naturespicsonline
Range
Call
Audio by Daniel Parker
Size
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common raptors across the United States and also amongst the largest.
This hawk is restricted to the Big Island. As native animals have disappeared, it has adapted to eating introduced species like rats, lizards, and non-native birds.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a cooperative raptor. It will work with other bird species to achieve a goal of removing a larger predator from the area or distracting prey.
The Short-tailed Hawk is actually a Central and South American bird. There is an isolated population in Florida. When they migrate, they all south to the Florida Keys, and this is a fantastic place to see them.
Length: 15.3-17.3 in (39-44 cm)
Weight: 13.6-16.9 oz (385-480 g)
Wingspan: 32.7-40.5 in (83-103 cm)
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Photo by The Lilac Breasted RollerRangeCallAudio by Richard E. Webster
Size
The Gray or Grey Hawk is a lizard expert and will eat a range of them. This is reflected in where it is found – drier areas of southwestern U.S. and Central America.
When it migrates to South America, the Broad-winged Hawk gathers in huge numbers. These flocks are called kettles and can be an amazing site as they swirl around in the sky.
The Swainson’s Hawk has the longest migration of all our raptors and can fly over 7,000 to their second homes in South America.
Length: 17-22in (43-56 cm)
Weight: 17.6-27.2 oz (500-1170 g)
Wingspan: 46-54in (117-137 cm
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Photo by Hans Hillewaert
Range
Call
Audio by Bobby Wilcox
Size
Common Black Hawks act a bit like herons when they are hunting in shallow waters. They will use their wings to startle prey or to herd it to a better place for it to catch them.
Turkey Vultures look similar to the Zone-tailed Hawk in flight, and researchers think that these crafty hawks mimic the behavior of the vulture because potential prey know that the vulture is no threat to them.
Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
Weight: 21.4-23.5 oz (607-667 g)
Wingspan: 46.9-55.1 in (119-140 cm)
Geranoaetus Hawk
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Photo by Agecom Bahia
Rang
Call
Audio by Manuel Grosselet
Size
The White-tailed Hawk has an unusual decoration for its nest. It always has a long stick stuck in it, and no one knows why.
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm )
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Final Thoughts
So, that is the hawks in the United States. We have:
3 True Hawks
1 Harrier Hawk
1 Geranoaetus Hawk
11 Buteo Hawks
These birds can be difficult to identify in the wild, or to be more exact, in the air! I try to find one feature that I can remember and go from there.
FAQ
What is the difference between hawks and true hawks?
True hawks generally have longer tails and shorter, rounded wings. The name hawk came into common use for other raptor species in the genus buteo and has just stuck.
What is the most common hawk in the United States?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen and reported in a variety of different habitats.
What is the biggest hawk in the United States?
The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest and probably the most vicious too!
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