10 Hawks in Ontario (with Pictures and ID Guide)

Ontario supports 10 species of hawks, reflecting the province’s wide range of habitats and migration pathways. These include a core group of buteos and accipiters, seven of which occur regularly and two that appear only as rare migrants, along with the Northern Harrier, a distinctive open-country species whose structure and hunting behavior set it apart. This guide provides identification notes and Ontario-specific context on habitat use, distribution, and seasonal occurrence for hawks found in the province.

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

• Identification: Large, stout-bodied buteo with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail; many adults show a reddish upper tail and dark marks along the leading edge of the underwing.
• Where found: Widespread and year-round across Ontario in open landscapes with nearby trees or other elevated perches, from agricultural lowlands in the south to boreal regions in the north.
• How to spot: Look for a broad-winged hawk perched on poles, fence posts, or isolated trees along roadsides, or soaring slowly in wide circles over fields; listen for its hoarse, rising-and-falling scream.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and widespread, though showing declines in parts of southern Ontario despite stability elsewhere in the province.

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most frequently observed hawk in Ontario and the largest regularly occurring buteo in the province. It measures 45 to 65 centimeters (17.7 to 25.6 inches) in length and has a heavy, thick-chested build with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail typical of large buteos. Plumage is variable, but many adults show a reddish upper tail with a narrow dark band near the tip, especially visible from above. Light-morph birds are brown above and paler below, often with a distinct dark belly band and darker markings along the leading edge of the underwing, features that help separate them from similar species. Dark-morph individuals are less frequent and appear uniformly darker overall.

In the field, Red-tailed Hawks are often detected by their behavior. They commonly hunt from prominent perches such as utility poles, fence posts, transmission structures, or tall trees, dropping in controlled dives to capture prey. In flight, they show slow, heavy wingbeats and frequently soar on thermals or ridge lift, sometimes holding position while facing into strong winds. Their familiar hoarse scream, often given by soaring birds or during territorial encounters, is one of the most recognizable raptor calls in Ontario. The diet is broad and includes small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and occasionally insects, with individuals sometimes walking on the ground while feeding.

The species is broadly distributed across all regions of Ontario and occurs in both forested and non-forested landscapes. It is most abundant south of the Canadian Shield, where agricultural land, wetlands, and suburban areas create a patchwork of open fields interspersed with woodlots, fencerows, and riparian corridors. It also occurs widely across the Southern and Northern Shield, extending into the Hudson Bay Lowlands, where forest management practices that create clearings while retaining trees and forest patches provide suitable hunting conditions. Red-tailed Hawks breed throughout the province, with breeding beginning earlier in the south and later at higher latitudes. The species is a short-distance migrant, with some individuals overwintering in extreme southern Ontario while others move south into the eastern United States; nevertheless, it is reported in the province during all seasons.

The Red-tailed Hawk remains common and widespread in Ontario, with overall provincial abundance showing little change since the early 1980s. Breeding Bird Survey data indicate stability at the provincial scale, but more detailed monitoring reveals regional contrasts. Declines are most evident in southern Ontario, where populations are now slightly below 1970s levels, while probabilities of observation have increased in parts of the Northern Shield. The species continues to benefit from landscapes that combine open areas with scattered trees, but local declines in heavily modified regions highlight its sensitivity to changes in land use and prey availability despite its overall adaptability.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

• Identification: Small, short-winged accipiter with a long, often square-tipped tail and long, thin yellow legs; adults are blue-gray above with rufous barring below.
• Where found: Widespread across Ontario in forested landscapes, breeding mainly in dense woods and occurring year-round with numbers augmented by migrants outside the breeding season.
• How to spot: Most often noticed during fall migration at hawkwatches or as a sudden, fast-moving hawk with a rapid flap-and-glide flight style crossing openings; small birds often erupt in alarm when it appears near feeders.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); generally stable to increasing historically, but recent monitoring suggests declines, with trends difficult to assess due to the species’ secretive behavior.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk regularly occurring in Ontario and one of the most elusive forest raptors in the province. It measures 24 to 34 centimeters (9.4 to 13.4 inches) in length and has short, rounded wings, a very long tail, a small head, and long, thin legs, a combination that gives it exceptional agility in dense woodland. Adults are slaty blue-gray above with white underparts finely barred with rufous, while juveniles are brown above with bold brown to reddish-brown streaking below and a paler eyebrow. The tail is narrowly pale-tipped and usually appears square when folded, with several broad dark bands, features that help separate it from larger accipiters.

In the field, Sharp-shinned Hawks are often detected only briefly, flashing through woodland edges or crossing openings with several quick wingbeats followed by a short glide. Their flight appears faster and more abrupt than that of Cooper’s Hawk, with snappier wingbeats and tighter turns. The species relies heavily on surprise, darting through trees or along forest edges while pursuing prey, rather than attacking from high soaring flights. Vocalizations are seldom heard away from nesting areas, but sharp alarm calls may be given near the nest. The diet consists primarily of small birds, especially songbirds, taken in short chases, with small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects also occasionally eaten.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are closely tied to forest structure and occur across most regions of the province below the treeline. Breeding takes place mainly in dense woodlands, often with a strong association with coniferous or mixed forest stands, where nests are placed high in trees and are difficult to locate. The species is broadly distributed across southern Ontario, including the Carolinian region, the Lake Simcoe-Rideau area, and the Southern Shield, and also occurs widely in northern Ontario, though it is easily overlooked there because of its secretive habits. Many individuals migrate through the province in spring and especially fall, while others remain year-round, with wintering birds using forest edges, wooded suburban areas, and sites with abundant small birds.

The species has shown complex population patterns across the province. Atlas data indicate stability overall, with significant increases in parts of southern Ontario, particularly in the Carolinian region and the Lake Simcoe-Rideau area, while northern regions show little detectable change. Long-term monitoring suggests that populations increased following the ban on organochlorine pesticides, but more recent data from breeding surveys and raptor migration indices point to declines over the past decade. Assessing true trends remains difficult, as the species’ inconspicuous behavior leads to under-detection during the breeding season, and shifts in winter distribution may influence migration counts. Despite these uncertainties, the Sharp-shinned Hawk remains a widespread woodland raptor across Ontario.

Cooper’s Hawk

Astur cooperii

• Identification: Medium-sized accipiter with broad, rounded wings and a long, rounded tail; adults are blue-gray above with rufous barring below.
• Where found: Breeds mainly across southern Ontario in wooded and semi-wooded landscapes, with year-round occurrence in some areas and additional migrants present outside the breeding season.
• How to spot: Watch for a stealthy woodland hawk flying low with a flap-flap-glide pattern through trees or along edges; near nests, listen for repeated, sharp “cak-cak-cak” alarm calls.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are generally stable in Ontario, with strong increases in some southern regions following long-term recovery.

The Cooper’s Hawk is one of the most successful accipiters in southern Ontario and has become an increasingly familiar predator in wooded suburbs and cities. It measures 37 to 45 centimeters (14.6 to 17.7 inches) in length and has the classic accipiter structure, with broad, rounded wings, a long, rounded tail, and a relatively large head that projects clearly in flight. Adults show blue-gray to grayish-brown upperparts and white underparts marked with broad, warm rufous barring, while juveniles are brown above with bold brown streaking below. The tail is darkly banded and usually tipped with white in fresh plumage, and the capped look of the head can be evident at close range.

In the field, Cooper’s Hawks are often detected by their purposeful, low flight through trees and across openings. They typically fly with several stiff wingbeats followed by a short glide, cutting sharply around obstacles while using vegetation and structures as cover. When hunting, they rely on surprise and speed, accelerating suddenly to pursue birds through dense cover or into open gaps. Vocalizations are most often heard near nest sites, where adults give rapid, repeated alarm calls, and males may give short notes during courtship or display. The diet in Ontario consists mainly of birds, including songbirds and doves, with small mammals taken less frequently.

Within Ontario, the Cooper’s Hawk is concentrated primarily in the southern part of the province. It is widespread in the Carolinian region and the Lake Simcoe-Rideau area, where it now occurs in many atlas squares, especially along the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario corridors. The species has expanded strongly around urban centres such as the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Windsor, where it exploits abundant avian prey and nests in relatively small wooded patches. Occurrence declines northward, with fewer records in the Southern Shield and very limited presence in the Northern Shield. Breeding takes place mainly in dense woods, including mature forest, wooded ravines, and maturing plantations, while migration and wintering birds may also use forest edges, parks, and residential areas. Some individuals remain year-round in southern Ontario, while others migrate south after the breeding season.

The Cooper’s Hawk has undergone a marked recovery in Ontario following declines linked to pesticide use in the mid-20th century. Atlas data show a substantial increase in breeding distribution since the first atlas, driven largely by expansion in southern Ontario and urban regions, while northern areas show little change or localized declines. Breeding Bird Survey data indicate overall stability relative to 1970, with considerable regional variation but no evidence of broad provincial decline. Although the species remains sensitive to the loss of suitable nesting woodlots, its ability to thrive in suburban and urban landscapes has made it one of Ontario’s most resilient forest hawks.

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

• Identification: Small, compact buteo with broad wings and a short tail marked by bold black-and-white bands; adults show warm rufous barring below.
• Where found: Breeds mainly in forested regions of Ontario, especially across the Canadian Shield, and is a strongly migratory species present chiefly from spring through early fall.
• How to spot: Most easily seen during fall migration, when large numbers circle in tight “kettles” over ridges and shorelines; in summer, listen for a piercing two-parted whistle above forest canopy.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and widespread in Ontario, with long-term increases indicated nationally despite mixed regional signals.

The Broad-winged Hawk is the smallest of Ontario’s buteos and one of the province’s most characteristic forest hawks. It measures 34 to 44 centimeters (13.4 to 17.3 inches) in length and has a stocky body, broad wings, and a relatively large head, proportions that give it strong soaring ability despite its small size. Adults typically show brown upperparts and underparts barred with cinnamon to chestnut, a whitish throat, and a short tail crossed by a broad pale band between darker bands, a pattern often visible even at a distance. In flight, the pale underwings contrast with darker wing margins, and a dark trailing edge is usually evident.

In the field, Broad-winged Hawks are often detected by voice or by their conspicuous migration behavior rather than by prolonged views. During the breeding season, individuals frequently soar in slow circles above forested territory and give a high-pitched, two-parted whistle, often rendered as “pee-eee,” from above the canopy. When foraging, they typically hunt from perches beneath the canopy or along forest edges, dropping down in short, direct swoops rather than pursuing prey in flight. The diet is broad and includes amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and small birds, reflecting the species’ close association with moist, forested habitats.

In Ontario, the Broad-winged Hawk is primarily a bird of the Canadian Shield, where forest cover is extensive and relatively continuous. The core of its provincial distribution lies in the Southern Shield, with lower but still regular occurrence in the Northern Shield. Away from the Shield, its distribution becomes more localized, with scattered breeding records in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau region and very limited presence in the Carolinian zone, where it is closely tied to remaining large forest tracts. The species is virtually absent from most of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, occurring only near the southern margins. Broad-winged Hawks are strongly migratory, arriving in Ontario in spring and departing in a concentrated southward movement in late September. Exceptional numbers pass migration lookouts along the north shore of Lake Erie, including sites such as Hawk Cliff and Holiday Beach Conservation Area, where autumn flights can be especially dramatic.

The Broad-winged Hawk remains one of the most widespread forest hawks in Ontario. Atlas data show no major change in overall provincial distribution between atlas periods, and the species continues to be especially abundant in heavily forested regions of the Shield. National monitoring indicates long-term population growth since the 1970s, with particularly strong increases in parts of central and southern Ontario, though migration counts at some sites have shown declines, reducing confidence in precise trend direction. Despite these uncertainties, the species remains common where suitable forest habitat persists, and its continued presence is closely linked to the availability of large, intact woodland landscapes.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

• Identification: Medium-sized buteo with broad, rounded wings, a relatively long, strongly banded tail, and richly reddish barred underparts; in flight, adults show pale translucent crescents near the wingtips.
• Where found: Local and patchily distributed breeder in southern Ontario, strongly associated with mature forest near wetlands, rivers, and lakes; largely absent from northern regions.
• How to spot: Often detected by its clear, whistled “kee-aah” calls in wet forest, or by watching a boldly patterned hawk soar over woods with pale wing crescents flashing.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); uncommon in Ontario but stable to increasing overall, with localized gains linked to habitat protection and forest maturation.

The Red-shouldered Hawk is one of Ontario’s most distinctive forest hawks and a specialist of mature, water-associated woodland. It measures 43 to 61 centimeters (16.9 to 24.0 inches) in length and has broad wings and a relatively long tail that give it a compact but powerful appearance in flight. Adults show rich rufous barring across the underparts, darker upperparts, and a boldly banded tail with a pale tip, while pale translucent crescent-shaped “windows” near the base of the primaries are often visible when soaring. Juveniles are browner overall, with pale underparts streaked brown and a tail marked by multiple narrow bands.

In the field, Red-shouldered Hawks are frequently revealed by voice before they are seen. Their ringing, whistled “kee-aah” calls are especially conspicuous in early spring, when birds advertise territories in forested wetlands. They often soar with wings held flat above the canopy and glide with a slightly bowed wing posture. When hunting, they perch within the forest or along edges near water and drop directly onto prey rather than pursuing it in extended flight. The diet in the province reflects wet-forest habitats and includes small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, with birds taken occasionally.

Within Ontario, the species is concentrated in the southern part of the province and shows a strongly regional distribution. It is found primarily in the Southern Shield and Lake Simcoe-Rideau regions, where mature deciduous or mixed forest occurs near wetlands, lakes, or river systems. Occurrence in the Carolinian region is limited and closely tied to remaining large forest blocks, with the southernmost confirmed breeding records coming from protected sites such as Rondeau Provincial Park. The species is virtually absent from the Northern Shield and does not occur in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Atlas data indicate a northward and westward expansion of the breeding range within southern Ontario, with new records in areas such as Parry Sound, Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, and the Lake of the Woods region. Some individuals remain year-round, but many birds move south during winter, leading to reduced detectability outside the breeding season.

The Red-shouldered Hawk remains uncommon in Ontario but has shown signs of recovery following historical declines linked to pesticide use and habitat loss. Atlas and survey data indicate overall stability, with significant increases in parts of the Southern Shield and continued gains in well-managed forest landscapes. Intensive nest protection, improved forest management, and targeted monitoring programs have likely contributed to this stability. Despite these gains, the species remains sensitive to fragmentation and loss of mature, contiguous forest near wetlands, and its distribution in Ontario continues to be shaped by the availability of suitable habitat rather than by broad population growth.

American Goshawk

Astur atricapillus

• Identification: Large, powerful accipiter with broad wings, a long rounded tail, a bold white eyebrow, and finely barred gray underparts in adults.
• Where found: Widely but sparsely distributed across Ontario’s forested regions, occurring year-round in mature woodland with local movements and occasional winter irruptions.
• How to spot: Most often detected by loud, repeated alarm calls near nest areas or by a sudden burst of strong, fast flight through dense forest; rarely seen in towns or suburban settings.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); uncommon in Ontario, with populations considered generally stable but sensitive to forest fragmentation and disturbance near nest sites.

The American Goshawk is the largest and most formidable forest-adapted hawk in Ontario and a top predator of mature woodland ecosystems. It measures 53 to 64 centimeters (20.9 to 25.2 inches) in length and has a deep-chested, broad-winged build with a long, rounded tail that gives it exceptional power and control in dense forest. Adults show cool gray upperparts, pale gray underparts finely barred with darker lines, and a striking white eyebrow set against a dark cap, creating an intense expression. Juveniles are distinctly browner, with heavy vertical streaking on pale underparts, yellow eyes, and a less sharply defined eyebrow.

In the field, American Goshawks are often identified by behavior rather than prolonged views. Their flight follows the accipiter pattern of several strong wingbeats followed by a glide, but appears heavier and more forceful than that of smaller accipiters. Within forest interiors, they move with remarkable speed and agility, weaving through trees in pursuit of prey or launching sudden, powerful attacks from elevated perches. Near nests, adults are highly vocal and aggressively defensive, giving rapid “kak-kak-kak” alarm calls and occasionally swooping at intruders. The diet is broad and includes squirrels, snowshoe hares, grouse, woodpeckers, corvids, and other medium-sized birds and mammals, reflecting its role as a dominant forest predator.

In the province, the American Goshawk occurs widely but at low densities across all major forested regions. It is most frequently recorded in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau and Southern Shield regions, with more scattered and sparse occurrence in the Carolinian zone, Northern Shield, and Hudson Bay Lowlands. The species is closely associated with mature forest characterized by high canopy closure, relatively open understory, and the presence of large-diameter trees, including coniferous, mixed, and tolerant hardwood stands. Most individuals are resident year-round, but the species is partially migratory, with some birds, particularly subadults, moving south or appearing irregularly outside typical breeding areas during years of low prey availability.

The species is naturally uncommon in Ontario, a reflection of its large home range requirements and low breeding densities rather than recent decline alone. Atlas data indicate a general decrease in probability of observation between atlas periods, including a significant decline in the Northern Shield, alongside localized increases in parts of southern Ontario linked to forest maturation and expanding source populations. National monitoring suggests little overall change in abundance since the 1970s, but regional trends remain difficult to interpret due to limited detectability and cyclic prey dynamics. Continued availability of mature, contiguous forest and careful management of nesting areas remain central to the long-term persistence of this species in the province.

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus

• Identification: Large buteo with relatively long, narrow wings, a long tail, and fully feathered legs; light morphs often show dark carpal patches and a bold dark tail band.
• Where found: Common winter visitor across Ontario in open landscapes, with very limited and irregular breeding in the far northern Hudson Bay Lowlands.
• How to spot: Look for a slow-flying hawk hovering into the wind over fields or wetlands, or soaring with wings held in a shallow dihedral; often perches on poles or fence posts.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); widespread and generally stable, though numbers fluctuate strongly with prey cycles and winter conditions.

The Rough-legged Hawk is Ontario’s most characteristic winter buteo of open country and one of the few raptors regularly encountered in mid-winter. It measures 45 to 63 centimeters (17.7 to 24.8 inches) in length and has a large, chunky build with relatively long wings and a longer tail than most similar buteos. A distinctive structural feature is the dense feathering that extends down the legs to the toes, an adaptation to cold climates. Plumage is variable, but most birds show strong contrast in the wings and tail, with light morphs often displaying pale underwings marked by dark patches at the bend of the wing and a pale tail crossed by a broad dark band near the tip.

In the field, Rough-legged Hawks are most readily identified by flight style and hunting behavior. They often fly low and slowly over open ground, alternating flexible wingbeats with glides, and frequently soar with wings raised in a shallow V-shape. A hallmark behavior is prolonged hovering or “kiting” into the wind while scanning for prey, sometimes followed by a direct plunge to the ground. Away from breeding areas they are generally silent. Their diet is dominated by small mammals, especially voles and mice, with birds taken more frequently when rodent numbers are low; hunting is carried out from the air or from exposed perches such as fence posts, utility poles, and roadside structures.

In Ontario, the species is primarily a winter visitor, occurring from October through April across much of the province. It favors wide-open landscapes such as grazed fields, pastures, short-grass habitats, wet meadows, plowed fields, and roadsides, and generally avoids forests, dense cover, and large lake surfaces. Winter distribution is strongly influenced by prey availability and can shift from year to year, with concentrations often developing in southern and central Ontario during peak vole years. Migration through the province is well documented along the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior shorelines, where significant autumn and spring movements occur. Breeding in Ontario is extremely limited and confined to the Hudson Bay Lowlands, where nesting has been confirmed only at a small number of sites near the southern Hudson Bay coast, and most birds recorded there are non-breeding individuals.

The Rough-legged Hawk remains widespread and regular in Ontario during winter, but abundance varies greatly among years. National monitoring indicates little long-term change in population size, though winter counts show pronounced fluctuations that likely reflect shifts in distribution rather than true declines. Across the province, winter mortality from vehicle collisions and other human-related hazards is a recurring concern, especially where birds hunt along roadsides. Despite these pressures, the species continues to be a dependable winter presence wherever extensive open habitats and healthy small-mammal populations persist.

Swainson’s Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

• Identification: Medium-large buteo with a relatively slim body, long and tapered wings, and a grayish, narrowly banded tail; many light birds show a dark chest “bib” and strong contrast between pale wing linings and dark flight feathers.
• Where found: Rare and irregular migrant in Ontario, occurring mainly during spring and fall migration, typically over open landscapes.
• How to spot: Look for a buoyant soaring hawk holding the wings in a shallow “V,” often associated with other migrating buteos; most Ontario records involve single birds rather than flocks.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); globally secure and increasing in Canada overall, but remains a rare and irregular migrant in Ontario.

The Swainson’s Hawk is a rare visitor to Ontario and is encountered almost exclusively during migration. It measures 48 to 56 centimeters (18.9 to 22.0 inches) in length and is a fairly large hawk, but its slim body, long and tapered wings, and relatively narrow profile give it a lighter, more elongated appearance than most other large buteos. Most individuals recorded in Ontario have been light-morph birds, which are pale below with a distinct dark or reddish-brown chest band forming a bib-like pattern between a paler throat and belly; upperparts are relatively even in tone, and the grayish to gray-brown tail shows numerous narrow dark bands, with the subterminal band usually the widest. In flight, pale wing linings contrast strongly with darker flight feathers on many birds, producing a crisp underwing pattern visible at distance. Juveniles resemble adults but show heavier streaking or spotting below.

In the field, Swainson’s Hawks are most often detected by their flight style rather than by close views. They have a buoyant, graceful soaring flight and typically hold the wings in a shallow dihedral, a posture that can recall a turkey vulture at a distance. Ontario birds are usually seen singly or occasionally loosely associated with other migrating hawks, rather than in the massive kettles typical of western migration routes. When present over land, they may soar on thermals above open country or pass steadily overhead on migration. Vocalizations are rarely reported in Ontario, as most birds are transient migrants, and foraging behavior is seldom observed in the province.

In Ontario, Swainson’s Hawk is best described as an irregular migrant, with records concentrated in spring and especially fall. Accepted provincial records span from early April through late May in spring and from early September through late October in fall, with most occurrences falling well within migration windows documented at similar latitudes elsewhere in eastern North America. The species does not breed in the province and has no established winter presence. Most Ontario sightings involve birds presumed to be migrants or dispersing individuals originating from western breeding populations, and the species is most likely to be encountered along broad migratory pathways and leading lines associated with the Great Lakes basin.

Despite its rarity in Ontario, the Swainson’s Hawk is not a species of conservation concern at the continental or national scale. In Canada overall, the population has increased relative to the early 1970s and is currently considered within its target range, following recovery from declines linked to pesticide exposure on South American wintering grounds. Provincial data for Ontario are too sparse to support meaningful local trend analysis, and the species’ status in the province remains one of long-standing rarity rather than decline. Continued occurrence in Ontario reflects broader population health and migratory dynamics rather than any change in the species’ regional distribution or abundance.

Ferruginous Hawk

Buteo regalis

• Identification: Very large, heavy-bodied buteo with broad wings, a large head, and long wings; light birds show pale underparts and a distinctive rufous “V” formed by the legs in flight.
• Where found: Extremely rare and irregular visitor to Ontario, occurring primarily during migration and involving only isolated individuals.
• How to spot: Scan open landscapes for an unusually large, pale buteo soaring with wings slightly raised or hunting low over the ground; most Ontario records involve single, lingering birds.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); globally secure, but nationally listed as Threatened in Canada and considered a vagrant in Ontario.

The Ferruginous Hawk is an exceptionally rare visitor to Ontario, known only from a small number of accepted provincial records. It measures 56 to 69 centimeters (22.0 to 27.2 inches) in length and is the largest hawk species in North America, with a massive build, broad chest, and large head that give it a powerful, imposing appearance. Compared with more familiar Ontario buteos, it appears longer-winged and more elongated, especially in flight over open ground. Most province records involve light-morph birds, which show very pale underparts with minimal streaking and the characteristic rufous “V” formed by the rusty-colored legs held beneath the body in flight; the head is pale, the upperparts often show warm ferruginous tones, and the tail is white to pale gray with little contrast. Juveniles resemble adults but typically show heavier spotting on the belly and legs.

In the field, Ferruginous Hawks are most often detected by their size, pale coloration, and hunting behavior. They soar with wings held slightly raised and often hunt low over open ground, sometimes hovering briefly into the wind or perching on prominent vantage points such as fence posts, utility poles, rocks, or even directly on the ground. Ontario birds have occasionally lingered for days or weeks in suitable open landscapes, allowing repeated observation, an unusual pattern for a species so far outside its normal range. Vocalizations are rarely reported in the province, as most individuals are non-breeding birds encountered during dispersal or migration.

In Ontario, the Ferruginous Hawk is best described as an exceptional vagrant. The species does not breed in the province and has no established winter presence. Accepted records are concentrated in southwestern Ontario, particularly near the Lake Erie shoreline and surrounding open agricultural landscapes, including sites in Chatham-Kent and adjacent counties. Occurrence falls within the broader Canadian seasonal window from spring through early autumn, consistent with migratory and post-breeding dispersal periods. These records are thought to involve wandering individuals originating from western breeding populations rather than any sustained eastward range expansion.

Because the Ferruginous Hawk occurs in Ontario only as an irregular vagrant, provincial data are too sparse to support meaningful assessment of abundance or trends. At the national scale, however, the Canadian population has shown an overall increase relative to the early 1970s, based primarily on Breeding Bird Survey data, though confidence in the magnitude of this increase is moderate. The species remains nationally listed as Threatened in Canada due to historical declines and ongoing sensitivity to habitat loss, prey reduction, and disturbance on the breeding grounds. Conservation efforts in the Prairie provinces focus on protecting large tracts of native grassland, maintaining prey populations, and safeguarding nesting sites, measures that support the broader population from which Ontario’s rare vagrants are presumed to originate.

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

• Identification: Slender, long-winged hawk with a long tail, long legs, an owlish facial disc, and a bold white rump patch; males are gray above while females and immatures are brown.
• Where found: Widespread in Ontario in open habitats, especially wetlands and grasslands, breeding from the Hudson Bay Lowlands and coastal tundra south into agricultural landscapes, with more limited use of the Shield.
• How to spot: Watch for a low, slow, coursing flight over marshes and fields with wings held in a strong “V,” weaving back and forth and showing the white rump patch.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); declining in Canada overall, with Ontario atlas data showing regional declines in some southern and Shield subregions despite local increases in the far north.

The Northern Harrier, also known as the marsh hawk, is a distinctive open-country raptor and differs strongly from the broad-winged buteos and the woodland accipiters, both in structure and hunting style. It measures 46 to 50 centimeters (18.1 to 19.7 inches) in length and has a slim body, long wings and tail, and long, slender legs adapted to low, searching flight over open ground. All ages show a conspicuous white rump patch, and the face often looks owlish because of a facial ruff. Adult males are gray above and mostly pale below with black wingtips, while adult females are brown above and buffy below with streaking, and juveniles resemble females but are darker above and richer rufous below.

Most Northern Harriers in Ontario are detected in flight, because the species hunts by coursing low over open ground rather than perching high like many other hawks. The bird typically flies slowly and close to the surface, weaving back and forth with a series of heavy flaps and buoyant glides, usually holding the wings in a strong dihedral, or “V,” above the horizontal. Individuals sometimes hover briefly, and they usually remain low enough that the white rump patch is visible even at long distance. The species hunts primarily on the wing, using both sight and hearing to locate prey in vegetation, and its diet is strongly tied to small mammals, especially voles, with birds and other prey taken as available.

In Ontario, Northern Harriers are closely associated with extensive open habitats, including marshes, bogs, fens, open swamps, wet meadows, and large grassy areas such as pastures and hayfields. The species is a widespread breeder along the Hudson Bay coast and across the Hudson Bay Lowlands, with the highest abundance concentrated in the narrow tundra zone along the coast. Breeding also occurs widely in southern agricultural regions where large open wetlands and grasslands persist, while breeding on the Canadian Shield is more localized because large open habitats are scarce. Notable concentrations occur in more open Shield landscapes such as the Sudbury area and the Rainy River region, and south and east of the Shield in less intensively farmed areas including northern Wellington and Dufferin Counties and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. The species is reported through much of the year, with numbers typically highest during spring and fall migration and more localized winter occurrence depending on snow cover and prey availability.

Ontario monitoring indicates a mixed picture that varies by region and habitat change. Atlas results show no significant province-wide change in probability of observation between atlas periods, but they document declines in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau and Southern Shield regions and an increase in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Broader Canadian monitoring indicates a sustained long-term decline, and recent raptor monitoring in Ontario also indicates slight to moderate declines at multiple sites. Habitat change remains a central pressure for the species, because it depends on wetlands and undisturbed grasslands and is sensitive to the loss or succession of open areas into shrubby or treed habitat. The species also tracks fluctuations in small-mammal prey, and reductions in prey associated with agricultural intensification and pesticide exposure can further affect hunting conditions.

Where and When to See Hawks in Ontario

Hawks can be observed in Ontario throughout the year, but visibility varies strongly with season, habitat, and region. Spring and fall migration offer the greatest diversity and numbers, particularly from late March through May and again from September into early November. During these periods, open shorelines and natural movement corridors concentrate migrants, with especially consistent viewing along the north shore of Lake Erie, the Niagara Escarpment, and major river valleys such as the Ottawa and Thames systems. Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks dominate peak movements, while Red-tailed Hawks are present year-round and often become more numerous in southern Ontario during winter as birds from farther north move south.

Outside migration, the best opportunities to observe hawks depend on habitat. Open agricultural landscapes south of the Canadian Shield support Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and occasional Rough-legged Hawks in winter, while extensive wetlands and grasslands in the Hudson Bay Lowlands remain the province’s stronghold for breeding Northern Harriers. Forested regions across the Shield and southern Ontario hold American Goshawks and accipiters year-round, though these species are far more often detected by brief flights than prolonged views. Rare species such as Swainson’s Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk occur only irregularly, almost always as migrants, and are most likely to be encountered in wide-open southern landscapes during late spring or early fall. Taken together, Ontario’s size and habitat diversity ensure that, with careful timing and attention to landscape, hawks can be found somewhere in the province in every season.