9 Hawks in Pennsylvania (With Pictures)

Hawks are among the most captivating birds of prey in Pennsylvania, soaring majestically across the state’s diverse landscapes. These skilled hunters play a crucial role in the ecosystem, keeping rodent populations in check and maintaining the balance of nature. From the common Red-tailed Hawk to the elusive Northern Goshawk, each species brings its own unique behaviors and characteristics.

Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts are drawn to Pennsylvania’s forests, fields, and wetlands to catch a glimpse of these powerful raptors. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of Pennsylvania’s hawks, their habitats, and the vital roles they play in the wild.

1. 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 one of the most widespread and recognizable raptors in North America. With its characteristic reddish-brown tail, this hawk can be seen soaring over fields and perched on telephone poles across a vast range that includes the entire United States, parts of Canada, and into Central America.

Their plumage is highly variable, but typically features a pale underside with a dark band across the belly and a streaked, brown back. In flight, their broad, rounded wings and short, wide tails are distinctive. These birds are often spotted gliding with ease, using thermals to stay aloft as they survey the ground below.

The Red-tailed Hawk, a majestic bird of prey, typically chooses tall trees or cliff edges for its nest. Constructed with sticks and lined with softer materials like bark or moss, these nests are reused and added to annually.

Both male and female hawks participate in nest building and caring for their young, showcasing a strong partnership. Their nests can be quite large, sometimes reaching up to three feet in diameter, providing a sturdy and safe environment for their chicks.

Red-tailed Hawks are versatile hunters with a diet primarily consisting of small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits. They are also known to consume birds, reptiles, and occasionally insects. Using their keen eyesight, they spot prey from high perches or while soaring and then swoop down with remarkable precision. This adaptability in their diet allows them to thrive in diverse environments, from rural areas to urban landscapes.

Red-tailed Hawks have a stable population, largely due to their adaptability and widespread range. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. Historical data show that these hawks have rebounded from past declines due to DDT pesticide use, which affected many raptors.

Today, they benefit from legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, ensuring their continued presence in North American skies.

2. 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

The Cooper’s Hawk is a stealthy predator of wooded areas throughout North America. They have a striking appearance with a slate gray back, reddish barring on the chest, and a long, rounded tail with thick bands. Their sharp features and intense red eyes give them a fierce look.

Found from southern Canada to northern Mexico, Cooper’s Hawks are frequently seen darting through trees in search of prey. In urban settings, they have adapted well, often seen hunting around bird feeders. Their agility and speed make them effective hunters in dense forests and suburban areas alike.

Cooper’s Hawks are known for their secretive nesting habits, often choosing dense woodlands or suburban areas with ample tree cover. They build their nests high in trees, usually close to the trunk for stability.

Made of sticks and lined with bark, leaves, and other soft materials, these nests provide a safe haven for their eggs. Both parents are involved in nest building and rearing the young, showing remarkable teamwork in raising their offspring.

Cooper’s Hawks are agile hunters, primarily preying on medium-sized birds such as pigeons, doves, and songbirds. They are also known to hunt small mammals and insects when necessary. Their hunting strategy involves swift, surprise attacks, often chasing prey through dense foliage with incredible agility. This diet reflects their adaptability and skill, allowing them to thrive in both forested and urban environments.

The conservation status of Cooper’s Hawks has improved significantly since the mid-20th century when they faced declines due to pesticide use and habitat loss. Today, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and their populations are stable or increasing in many areas.

Conservation efforts now focus on maintaining suitable habitats and monitoring urban populations to ensure they continue to thrive alongside human development.

3. 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: Breeding and common

Sharp-shinned Hawks are the smallest hawks in North America, known for their swift, agile flight. They have a bluish-gray back, reddish-orange barring on the chest, and a distinctive long, square-tipped tail.

Their eyes are piercing red, adding to their predatory appearance. These hawks are primarily found in forests across the continent, from southern Canada to Central America. During migration, they can be seen in a variety of habitats, including urban areas. Their small size and remarkable speed allow them to navigate through dense foliage, making them adept hunters of smaller birds.

Sharp-shinned Hawks prefer dense forests for nesting, often choosing coniferous trees to build their nests. These nests are constructed from twigs and lined with softer materials such as bark strips and feathers.

Nesting sites are well-hidden and typically located high in trees to protect from predators. Both parents share the responsibilities of building the nest and caring for the young, ensuring a cooperative effort in raising their offspring.

Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily hunt small birds, making up the majority of their diet. They are agile and fast, often catching their prey in mid-air after a swift chase through dense foliage. In addition to birds, they occasionally eat small mammals, insects, and reptiles. Their hunting technique relies on speed and surprise, allowing them to capture prey with remarkable efficiency.

Sharp-shinned Hawks faced significant declines during the 20th century due to pesticide use and habitat loss. However, their populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts, including the banning of harmful pesticides and habitat protection.

Today, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Continued conservation efforts focus on maintaining healthy forest habitats and monitoring populations to ensure their long-term survival.

4. 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: Breeding and common

The Broad-winged Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with a wide-ranging presence across North America. Recognizable by their stocky build, broad wings, and short tail, these hawks display a striking pattern of brown and white barring on their underparts and a banded tail. They are most commonly seen during migration, when they form large flocks called “kettles,” soaring in impressive numbers.

Their breeding range spans from the eastern United States to southern Canada, preferring deciduous or mixed woodlands. In the fall, they undertake a long journey to Central and South America, making their migration one of the most spectacular avian events, especially in areas like Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

Broad-winged Hawks nest in deciduous or mixed forests, often near water. They build their nests high in the trees, using sticks and lining them with softer materials like leaves and bark. These nests are often reused and refurbished each year. Both males and females participate in nest building and caring for the young, ensuring a strong partnership in raising their offspring.

The diet of the Broad-winged Hawk includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. They are known to hunt from perches, swooping down on prey with precision. This varied diet allows them to adapt to different habitats and food availability. Their hunting style is patient and opportunistic, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Broad-winged Hawks are currently stable in terms of population, benefiting from habitat protection and legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Historical threats included habitat loss and pesticide use, but conservation efforts have helped their numbers remain steady.

Ongoing efforts focus on preserving forest habitats and ensuring sustainable populations through careful monitoring and management.

5. 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 common

The Rough-legged Hawk is a large raptor that breeds in the Arctic and migrates to more temperate regions during the winter. They have a distinctive appearance with feathered legs that extend to their talons, giving them a “rough-legged” look. Their plumage is variable, but they generally exhibit a light and dark morph.

Light morphs have a white head, belly, and breast with dark markings, while dark morphs are mostly dark brown. These hawks are found in open fields, grasslands, and marshes across North America during the winter months. Their hovering flight and broad wings are characteristic features.

Rough-legged Hawks are known for nesting on cliffs or in trees in the Arctic tundra and open taiga regions. Their nests are built from sticks and lined with softer materials such as moss, grass, and feathers. Both males and females participate in nest building, with nests often reused and refurbished each year. These high, remote nesting sites provide safety and isolation for raising their young.

The diet of Rough-legged Hawks primarily consists of small mammals like lemmings and voles, especially during the breeding season. In the winter, they also hunt birds and other mammals. Their hunting style involves hovering in the air or perching and scanning the ground for prey, showcasing their adaptability to different environments and prey availability. This diet supports their survival in harsh Arctic conditions.

Rough-legged Hawks are generally not considered threatened, but their populations can fluctuate based on prey availability and environmental conditions. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding habitats in the Arctic and ensuring safe migratory routes.

They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ongoing monitoring and research help to understand their population dynamics and address potential threats.

6. 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: Breeding and rare

The Northern Goshawk is a powerful and elusive raptor of dense forests. They have a striking appearance with slate gray upperparts, a finely barred gray and white underside, and bold white eyebrow stripes that accentuate their fierce yellow eyes. These hawks are found in northern and mountainous regions across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In Pennsylvania, they are rare and typically inhabit large, mature forests. Known for their aggressive nature, Northern Goshawks are skilled hunters, often remaining hidden within the canopy until they launch a surprise attack on their prey.

Northern Goshawks prefer mature forests for nesting, often choosing large trees to build their nests. These nests are constructed from sticks and lined with softer materials such as bark and leaves. They are typically located high in trees, providing a safe environment for their eggs and chicks. Both parents share the responsibilities of nest building and caring for the young, showing a strong partnership in raising their offspring.

Northern Goshawks have a varied diet, including birds, mammals, and occasionally reptiles. They are known for their powerful hunting style, using their agility and strength to capture prey in flight or on the ground. Their diet reflects their adaptability and skill as hunters, allowing them to thrive in different forest habitats. This versatility in hunting and diet helps them maintain stable populations in various environments.

Northern Goshawks have faced habitat loss and human persecution in the past, but their populations are currently stable in many areas. Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature forests and ensuring sustainable forestry practices.

They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Continued efforts include habitat management and monitoring to ensure their long-term survival, highlighting the importance of conserving old-growth forests.

7. 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 common

The Northern Harrier is a unique hawk known for its low, gliding flight over open fields and marshes. They have a distinctive owl-like face with a white rump patch that is easily visible in flight. Males are gray above with a white underside, while females are brown.

These hawks are found throughout North America, breeding in Canada and the northern United States, and migrating to the southern United States and Central America for the winter. Their flight pattern, with wings held in a V-shape and buoyant, gliding motion, sets them apart from other raptors.

Northern Harriers are unique among hawks, preferring to nest on the ground in open wetlands or grasslands. Their nests are built from grasses and reeds, often hidden in dense vegetation to protect from predators. Females primarily build the nest and care for the young, while males provide food. This ground-nesting behavior sets them apart from other hawks and requires specific habitat conditions for successful breeding.

The diet of Northern Harriers consists mainly of small mammals such as voles and mice, but they also hunt birds, amphibians, and insects. Their hunting style is distinctive, flying low over fields and marshes with wings held in a V-shape, using their keen sense of hearing to locate prey. This varied diet and unique hunting technique allow them to thrive in diverse habitats.

Northern Harriers have faced declines due to habitat loss and changes in land use. Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring wetland and grassland habitats essential for their nesting and hunting.

They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Continued efforts include monitoring populations and habitat management to ensure their survival, highlighting the importance of conserving open landscapes.

8. Swainson’s Hawk

• Scientific name: Buteo swainsoni
• Life span: Up to 15 years
• Size: 18-22 inches (46-56 cm)
• Weight: 1.4-2.4 pounds (650-1,100 g)
• Wingspan: 47-59 inches (119-150 cm)
• Status: Least Concern
• State status: Migratory and rare       

Swainson’s Hawk is a long-distance migratory raptor that breeds in the open plains and grasslands of western North America. They have a distinctive appearance with a dark brown back, a reddish-brown chest, and a pale belly. Their wings are long and pointed, adapted for their extensive migrations to South America for the winter.

During migration, Swainson’s Hawks form large flocks and are often seen soaring in thermals. In Pennsylvania, they are considered rare, typically observed only during migration periods. Their broad wings and long tail make them proficient at soaring over open landscapes.

Swainson’s Hawks prefer open country for nesting, often selecting single trees or shrubs in prairies, deserts, or agricultural areas. Their nests are built from sticks and lined with softer materials like grass, bark, and leaves, providing a comfortable environment for their eggs and chicks.

Both male and female hawks contribute to the construction of the nest and care for their young. These nests are usually located at medium heights, offering some protection while maintaining proximity to open areas for hunting.

The diet of Swainson’s Hawks is highly seasonal, primarily consisting of small mammals such as mice, voles, and ground squirrels during the breeding season. In the non-breeding season, they switch to a diet rich in insects, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, which they catch in large numbers. This dietary flexibility allows them to adapt to varying food availability throughout the year, ensuring their survival across different habitats and during long migrations.

Swainson’s Hawks have faced challenges due to habitat loss and pesticide use, which have affected their populations in some areas. Conservation efforts have focused on protecting their nesting and foraging habitats, particularly in agricultural regions. International cooperation is crucial, as these hawks migrate long distances to South America.

Legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and initiatives to reduce pesticide use have been instrumental in helping their populations recover and maintain stability.

9. 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 common

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a forest-dwelling raptor commonly found in the eastern United States. They are easily identified by their rich, reddish-brown shoulders, barred wings, and distinctive black-and-white checkered pattern on their back. Their underparts are streaked with reddish-brown, making them quite striking in appearance.

These hawks prefer riparian woodlands and are often heard before they are seen, emitting a series of loud, distinctive calls. Their range extends from southern Canada through the eastern United States and into parts of Mexico, where they are frequently observed soaring above forests or perched silently on branches.

Red-shouldered Hawks prefer to nest in deciduous or mixed woodlands, often near water sources. Their nests are built high in the trees, crafted from sticks and lined with softer materials like moss and leaves.

These hawks typically reuse and refurbish old nests each year, maintaining a strong nesting site. Both males and females contribute to nest construction and caring for the young, ensuring a collaborative effort in raising their chicks.

The diet of the Red-shouldered Hawk is diverse, including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. They are also known to eat insects and occasionally fish. This variety allows them to adapt to different habitats and food availability. Their hunting technique involves perching silently and swooping down on unsuspecting prey, demonstrating their patient and calculated approach to hunting.

Red-shouldered Hawks have experienced fluctuations in their population due to habitat destruction and pesticide use. However, conservation efforts, including habitat protection and regulations on pesticide use, have helped their numbers rebound.

They are currently protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to preserve their natural habitats and ensure sustainable populations through careful monitoring and habitat management.

Where to find Hawks in Pennsylvania

Spotting hawks in Pennsylvania is a thrilling adventure, best undertaken in areas where these majestic birds thrive. With their sharp eyes and powerful wings, hawks can be seen gliding over forests, meadows, and wetlands. The key to finding them is patience and a good pair of binoculars.

• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton is a premier spot, especially during the fall migration when thousands of hawks pass through. The sanctuary offers trails and lookout points perfect for observing various hawk species.
• Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie’s shores is another excellent location. Its mix of habitats, from sandy beaches to lush forests, attracts a diverse range of hawks, particularly during migration seasons
• The Allegheny National Forest provides a vast expanse of wilderness where hawks like the Northern Goshawk and Red-shouldered Hawk can be seen. The dense forests and clearings offer prime viewing opportunities.
• Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, with open fields and woodlands that are home to Cooper’s Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks.

To maximize your hawk-watching experience, visit these spots during early morning or late afternoon when hawks are most active. Bring a field guide to help identify different species and enjoy the thrill of seeing these powerful raptors in their natural habitat.

Conclusion

Exploring the world of hawks in Pennsylvania offers a glimpse into the state’s rich natural heritage. Whether observing these raptors at renowned spots like Hawk Mountain Sanctuary or discovering them in the vast Allegheny National Forest, the experience is both exhilarating and educational.

By visiting these habitats and appreciating the hawks’ vital roles, we gain a deeper connection to the wild and contribute to their conservation. Embrace the adventure and witness the majesty of Pennsylvania’s hawks.