Hawks in Delaware are a captivating presence, soaring gracefully above the state’s varied landscapes, from coastal marshes to dense forests. These powerful birds of prey are not only skilled hunters but also key indicators of the health of Delaware’s ecosystems. Whether you’re catching a glimpse of a Red-tailed Hawk perched along a roadside or watching a Sharp-shinned Hawk dart through the trees, the sight of these raptors is always thrilling.
Delaware’s location along the Atlantic Flyway makes it a prime spot for hawk migration, offering birdwatchers the chance to witness the seasonal movements of these magnificent birds. From the broad-winged hawks passing through in large flocks to the year-round residents, each species has its unique traits and behaviors.
Understanding and appreciating these hawks helps us connect more deeply with the natural world around us and underscores the importance of preserving their habitats.
1. Red-Shouldered Hawk
- Scientific name: Buteo lineatus
- Life span: Up to 12 years
- Size: 18-20 inches (45-50 cm)
- Weight: 12-26 ounces (350-740 g)
- Wingspan: 40-48 inches (100-122 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and Uncommon
The Red-Shouldered Hawk is commonly found in eastern North America, particularly in forests near water. It is easily identified by its reddish-brown shoulders, striking black-and-white checkered wings, and a strongly banded tail. The bird’s underparts are a warm, rusty color with fine white barring.
Red-Shouldered Hawks are often seen perched on tree branches, where their distinctive, high-pitched call echoes through the woods, making them a well-known presence in their habitats.
Red-Shouldered Hawks prefer to nest in deciduous woodlands near water, often choosing tall trees with a clear view of their surroundings. They build large, bulky nests from sticks and line them with softer materials like leaves, moss, and bark. The female typically lays two to four eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs. These hawks are known for their loyalty to nesting sites, often returning to the same location year after year.
Red-Shouldered Hawks have a varied diet, including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. They are particularly fond of hunting near water, where they catch frogs, snakes, and small rodents. These hawks often hunt from a perch, swooping down on prey with precision. Their sharp eyesight allows them to spot potential food from great distances, and their powerful talons ensure a quick and efficient kill.
Red-Shouldered Hawks were once in decline due to habitat loss and the effects of pesticides, but conservation efforts have helped their populations recover. They are now considered stable, especially in areas where wetlands and forests are protected. Legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act have also contributed to their resurgence.
Ongoing efforts focus on preserving the wetland and forested habitats that are critical to their nesting and hunting success.
2. Broad-Winged Hawk
- Scientific name: Buteo platypterus
- Life span: 12 years
- Size: 13.4-17.3 in (34-44 cm)
- Weight: 9.3-19.8 oz (265-560 g)
- Wingspan: 31.9-39.4 in (81-100 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and Common
Broad-Winged Hawks are small, stocky raptors found in eastern North America, particularly in forests. They are recognized by their short, broad wings and fan-shaped tails, which are banded with black and white.
Their plumage is a mix of brown upperparts and pale underparts with fine streaking. These hawks are most famous for their spectacular migratory behavior, forming large flocks called “kettles” as they soar southward in the fall.
Broad-Winged Hawks nest in deciduous or mixed forests, often choosing trees with dense foliage for added concealment. They build small, compact nests from sticks and line them with leaves and bark. The female typically lays two to three eggs, and both parents are involved in raising the young. These hawks are known for their secretive nature during the nesting season, often remaining hidden in the forest canopy to avoid detection.
Broad-Winged Hawks have a varied diet, including small mammals, amphibians, insects, and reptiles. They often hunt from a perch, scanning the ground below for movement before swooping down to capture their prey. These hawks are also known to catch insects in flight, particularly during the warmer months. Their diet shifts with the seasons, allowing them to take advantage of the most abundant food sources in their environment.
Broad-Winged Hawks are generally stable, with populations that benefit from protected forested areas. They are best known for their spectacular migration, where thousands gather in “kettles” to travel south.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving their breeding and migratory habitats, ensuring that these hawks continue to thrive. The protection of large forested tracts is crucial for their nesting success and overall population stability.
3. Northern Goshawk
- Scientific name: Accipiter gentilis
- Life span: Up to 15 years
- Size: 24-29 in (61-74 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-3 lbs (680-1360g)
- Wingspan: 45-52 in (114-132 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and Rare
The Northern Goshawk is a large, powerful hawk found in dense forests across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is characterized by its broad wings, long tail, and fierce expression, with a striking white eyebrow contrasting against its dark cap.
The bird’s slate-gray upperparts and finely barred underparts give it a commanding presence. Northern Goshawks are elusive and often difficult to spot, but their impressive flight skills and agility make them a formidable predator.
Northern Goshawks are secretive and elusive when it comes to nesting, preferring dense, mature forests with tall trees. They build large, platform-like nests high in coniferous or mixed woodlands, using sticks, twigs, and leafy material. The female lays two to four eggs, and both parents are fiercely protective of the nest, often attacking intruders with aggressive dives. The young are cared for diligently until they fledge, usually around six weeks after hatching.
Northern Goshawks are powerful and versatile hunters, with a diet that includes medium-sized birds like grouse and crows, as well as small mammals such as rabbits and squirrels. They are known for their stealth and speed, often ambushing prey with a sudden burst of flight from a concealed perch. Their strong talons and sharp beak make them formidable predators, capable of taking down prey larger than themselves.
Northern Goshawks have a history of persecution, particularly by gamekeepers and hunters who viewed them as threats to game species. Today, they are protected under various wildlife laws, and their populations are monitored closely. They remain sensitive to habitat loss, particularly due to logging and deforestation, making forest conservation crucial to their survival. Conservation efforts focus on preserving large tracts of mature forest and reducing human disturbance in nesting areas.
4. Rough-Legged Hawk
- Scientific name: Buteo lagopus
- Life span: Up to 15 years
- Size: 18-20 in (46-51 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-3.25 lbs (680-1470g)
- Wingspan: 52-54 inches (132-137 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and Rare
Rough-Legged Hawks are Arctic breeders that migrate south to North America during winter, where they are commonly seen in open fields and marshes. They are known for their broad wings and long, feathered legs, which help them endure cold climates.
Their plumage varies from light to dark morphs, but typically includes a pale head, dark belly, and a distinctive tail with a broad dark band. They are often seen hovering while hunting.
Rough-Legged Hawks nest in the Arctic tundra, where they build their nests on cliffs or steep slopes to avoid ground predators. These nests are constructed from sticks and lined with softer materials like grasses, moss, and feathers. The female lays two to seven eggs, and the parents share the duties of incubating and feeding the chicks. During the breeding season, these hawks are highly territorial, defending their nesting sites aggressively.
Rough-Legged Hawks are specialized hunters, primarily preying on small mammals like lemmings and voles in their Arctic breeding grounds. During winter migration, they expand their diet to include other small mammals and birds. These hawks are often seen hovering over fields and open areas, using their keen eyesight to spot prey from above. Their feathered legs provide insulation against the cold, allowing them to hunt effectively even in harsh winter conditions.
Rough-Legged Hawks are generally stable, with their populations closely tied to the availability of prey in their Arctic breeding grounds. They are protected under various wildlife laws, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Conservation efforts focus on monitoring population trends and ensuring the protection of their breeding and wintering habitats. Climate change poses a potential threat to their Arctic environment, making ongoing research and habitat conservation vital.
5. Northern Harrier
- Scientific name: Circus hudsonius
- Life span: Up to 12 years
- Size: 18-20 inches (45-50 cm)
- Weight: 12-26 ounces (350-740 g)
- Wingspan: 40-48 inches (100-122 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and Uncommon
The Northern Harrier is a slender, long-winged hawk found across North America in open habitats like marshes and grasslands. It is easily recognized by its owl-like face, which helps it detect prey by sound, and its distinctive white rump patch visible in flight.
Males are gray with black wingtips, while females are brown with streaked underparts. Northern Harriers are known for their low, graceful flight as they hunt over open fields.
Northern Harriers prefer to nest in open habitats like marshes, grasslands, and wetlands. They build their nests on the ground, often in dense vegetation to conceal them from predators. The nest is made of sticks and lined with softer materials like grasses and leaves.
The female typically lays four to six eggs, and both parents share the responsibility of raising the chicks. These hawks are known for their low, graceful flight over open fields while hunting.
Northern Harriers primarily feed on small mammals like voles and mice, but they also eat birds, insects, and amphibians. They hunt by flying low over the ground, using their keen eyesight and acute hearing to detect prey hidden in vegetation. Their distinctive owl-like facial disk helps them locate prey by sound, making them highly effective hunters in their preferred open habitats.
Northern Harriers have faced declines due to habitat loss, particularly the draining of wetlands and conversion of grasslands to agriculture. However, they are still relatively widespread, and conservation efforts have focused on preserving and restoring their open habitat environments. They are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and ongoing efforts aim to monitor population trends and protect critical nesting and foraging areas.
6. Cooper’s Hawk
- Scientific name: Accipiter cooperii
- Life span: 12 years
- Size: 14.6-15.3 in (37-39 cm)
- Weight: 7.8-14.5 oz (220-410 g)
- Wingspan: 24.4-35.4 in (62-90 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized raptors widespread across North America, known for their rounded wings and long tails, which are banded with gray and black. They have a sleek blue-gray back and reddish bars across their chest, giving them a striking appearance.
These hawks are often seen in wooded areas, where they skillfully navigate through trees in pursuit of prey. Their piercing yellow eyes and hooked beaks are key identifying features.
Cooper’s Hawks are skillful and secretive nesters, often choosing wooded areas, parks, or suburban neighborhoods with plenty of tree cover. They build their nests high in trees, using sticks and twigs, and line them with bark and leaves.
The female typically lays three to five eggs, and both parents share the responsibilities of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. These hawks are known for aggressively defending their nests from intruders, including humans.
Cooper’s Hawks are adept hunters of medium-sized birds, such as pigeons, doves, and smaller songbirds, as well as small mammals. They are known for their incredible agility, navigating through dense foliage at high speeds to catch their prey.
Cooper’s Hawks often hunt by surprise, using stealth and quick bursts of speed to capture prey in mid-flight. Their diet can vary depending on their environment, but they primarily focus on birds.
Historically, Cooper’s Hawks were persecuted by humans who considered them pests, especially during the early 20th century. However, legal protections and a better understanding of their role in ecosystems have led to their resurgence. They are now commonly found in urban and suburban areas, adapting well to changes in their environment.
Conservation efforts continue to focus on habitat preservation and public education to ensure these hawks remain a thriving part of the landscape.
7. Red-Tailed Hawk
- Scientific name: Buteo jamaicensis
- Life span: 10-15 years
- Size: 19.7-25.6 in (50-65 cm)
- Weight: 31.8-51.5 oz (900-1460 g)
- Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
The Red-tailed Hawk is widespread across North America and all of Delaware, easily recognized by its broad, rounded wings and signature reddish-brown tail. This powerful raptor often soars high above open fields and woodlands, showcasing its rich, brownish plumage and pale underside. Its distinct “kee-eee-arr” call is a common sound in rural and suburban areas, making it one of the most familiar hawks across its range, which includes everything from deserts to forests.
Red-tailed Hawks build large, sturdy nests high in trees, often reusing and adding to the same nest each year. They prefer tall, mature trees with a commanding view of open areas. Both parents contribute to the nest-building, using sticks, bark, and greenery.
The female typically lays two to three eggs, which are incubated for about a month. The chicks fledge around six weeks old, though they remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Red-tailed Hawks are versatile hunters with a diet that includes small mammals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and voles, as well as birds, reptiles, and occasionally carrion. They are known for their patience, often seen perched on a high vantage point, scanning the ground for movement before swooping down to capture prey with their sharp talons. Their adaptability in hunting techniques allows them to thrive in various environments, from rural farmlands to urban areas.
Red-tailed Hawks are one of North America’s most widespread and abundant raptors, thanks in part to their adaptability to different habitats. Historically, they have faced threats from habitat destruction and pesticide use, but conservation efforts, including legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, have helped maintain stable populations.
They are often a focus of bird conservation programs that educate the public about the importance of raptors in ecosystems.
8. Sharp-Shinned Hawk
- Scientific name: Accipiter striatus
- Life span: 5 years
- Size: 9.4-13.4 in (24-34 cm)
- Weight: 3.1-7.7 oz (87-218 g)
- Wingspan: 16.9-22.1 in (43-56 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and Common
Sharp-shinned Hawks are small, agile raptors found across North America, particularly in forests and woodland edges. They are recognized by their short, rounded wings and long, narrow tails, which are banded with black and gray.
Their sharp, piercing eyes and blue-gray backs make them effective hunters, often seen darting swiftly through trees in pursuit of prey. These hawks are most commonly spotted during migration, when they travel in large numbers.
Sharp-shinned Hawks are secretive nesters, preferring dense forests and wooded areas where they build their nests high in coniferous trees. The nest is typically made of twigs and lined with softer materials like bark strips and leaves. The female lays three to eight eggs, which are incubated for about a month. These hawks are known for their fierce defense of the nesting territory, often chasing away larger birds that come too close.
Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily hunt small birds, which they capture with astonishing speed and agility. They are experts at ambush hunting, using the dense cover of trees to surprise their prey. In addition to small birds, they occasionally eat small mammals, insects, and reptiles. Their diet shifts with the seasons, focusing on the most abundant and easily caught prey, making them highly effective predators in their forested habitats.
Sharp-shinned Hawks were once heavily affected by pesticide use, particularly DDT, which led to population declines. However, following the ban of DDT and other harmful chemicals, their numbers have rebounded. Today, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and their populations are considered stable. Conservation efforts continue to focus on preserving forested habitats and monitoring population trends, especially in light of ongoing habitat fragmentation.
Where to find Hawks in Delaware
Finding hawks in Delaware is an exhilarating experience that brings you closer to nature’s raw beauty. Delaware’s diverse landscapes provide ideal habitats for various hawk species, whether they are year-round residents or migratory visitors.
To spot these majestic birds, head out early in the morning or late in the afternoon when hawks are most active, soaring above fields, forests, and coastlines in search of prey. Bring a pair of binoculars and a good field guide, and keep your eyes peeled for their distinctive flight patterns and sharp calls.
One of the best places to see hawks is Cape Henlopen State Park, where the coastal dunes and open skies make it a prime location, especially during migration. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is another top spot, with its expansive marshes attracting a variety of raptors. Brandywine Creek State Park offers forested areas where Red-shouldered Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks are frequently seen.
Finally, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge provides a mix of wetland and woodland habitats, ideal for spotting both resident and migrating hawks. Each of these locations offers a unique opportunity to observe these powerful birds in action, making your hawk-watching experience in Delaware truly unforgettable.
Conclusion
Hawks in Delaware are more than just a thrilling sight; they are vital players in the state’s ecosystems, balancing populations and showcasing nature’s raw power. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious observer, Delaware’s diverse habitats offer countless opportunities to witness these magnificent raptors.
Protecting their environments ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the awe-inspiring presence of hawks soaring across Delaware’s skies, connecting us all to the wild beauty of nature.
