The 15 Types Of Hawks In Texas And Where To Find Them

Texas is one of the largest states in the United States, encompassing a diverse range of habitats and positioned along the flight paths of many migratory species. Add that all together, and you get an extremely impressive bird list of 670 species.

Hawks are part of the birds of prey family, Accipitridae. They are characterized by their extraordinary vision and hearing, enabling them to hunt highly efficiently. The plumage of hawks is often very similar in males and females, but the females are typically larger than the males.

Hawks occur worldwide, and 24 species have been recorded within the United States. Of those, 19 species have been recorded in Texas, but only 15 occur regularly. The other species of Texas hawks, such as the Short-tailed Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Crane Hawk, and Great Black Hawk, are rare vagrants in the state.

The state contains many of the United State’s most famous protected areas and birding sites.

Some of the top sites are:

• Big Bend National Park
• Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
• Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
• Davis Mountains State Park
• Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
• Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
• Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
• Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
• Brazos Bend State Park
• South Padre Island
• Lake Tawakoni State Park
• Goose Island State Park
• Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Lost Maples State Natural Area
• Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
• Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary.

The following text will delve deeper into the 15 types of hawks in Texas and indicate where they can be found.

These Are The 15 Hawks That You Can See In Texas

1. Red-shouldered Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo lineatus
• Lifespan – 10 years (average), 25 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 16.9 to 24 in (43 to 61 cm)
• Weight – 17.1 to 27.3 oz (486 to 774 g)
• Wingspan – 37 to 43.7 in (94 to 111 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a broad-winged, medium-sized bird of prey with a long tail. They have reddish-brown underparts, a white tail, and white, dark-banded flight and tail feathers.

The upper parts are dark brown and white and checkered in pattern. The call produced by this species is a loud kee-aah.

Red-shouldered Hawks place their nests at the top of broad-leaved trees, usually near the trunk. The nest is made of sticks, while the lining is made with lichen, bark, and moss.

Females lay between two and five eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for 32 to 40 days. The hatchlings develop for 42 to 49 days before they leave the nest and fledge.

The Red-shouldered Hawk has a variable diet that comprises birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and crustaceans. Frequent prey items include sparrows, doves, starlings, chipmunks, and voles.

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a species of low concern, as the population is increasing at a rate of approximately 2% per year. The population of breeding birds is estimated to comprise 1.9 million individuals. This species’ biggest threat is habitat destruction and clearing.

Where To Find Red-shouldered Hawks

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a very common resident species in Texas, particularly in the eastern and southern areas. A higher abundance is seen in winter when birds migrate from the north.

They occur in hardwood forests, mixed deciduous-conifer forests, deciduous swamps, and woody suburban areas. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and Brazos Bend State Park are good locations for this species.

2. Red-tailed Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo jamaicensis
• Lifespan – 7 years (average), 30 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 17.7 to 25.6 in (45 to 65 cm)
• Weight – 24.3 to 51.5 oz (690 to 1460 g)
• Wingspan – 44.9 to 52.4 in (114 to 133 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey with broad wings and a short, red tail. This species has a brown upperside and head, while the underside is white with a dark band on the belly, and the throat is white. This species produces a high-pitched, rough kee-eeee-arr call.

Red-tailed Hawks typically nest on the crowns of tall trees, but they occasionally nest on towers, cliff edges, and tall buildings. They make a stick nest, which is lined with many plant materials, especially bark. The female lays between two and five eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for 28 to 35 days, and the hatchlings remain in the nest for 42 to 46 days after hatching.

The Red-tailed Hawk mostly has a mammalian diet. Prey includes mice, squirrels, voles, rabbits, jackrabbits, rats, and hares. Occasionally, they feed on snakes, carrion, and birds such as blackbirds, starlings, and pheasants.

The Red-tailed Hawk is of low conservation concern and has increased in population size by around 1.3% annually for the past several decades. The estimated breeding population size is 3.1 million individuals. Threats to this species include human disturbance, vehicle collisions, and hunting.

Where To Find Red-tailed Hawks

The Red-tailed Hawk is very common throughout the year in the state. Abundance increases in winter when birds arrive after migration. They inhabit open fields, grasslands, deserts, open woodland, parks, and scrublands in locations including Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and Goose Island State Park.

3. Harris’s Hawk

• Scientific name – Parabuteo unicinctus
• Lifespan – 10 years (average), 15 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 18.1 to 23.2 in (46 to 59 cm)
• Weight – 18.2 to 31 oz (515 to 880 g)
• Wingspan – 40.5 to 46.9 in (103 to 119 cm)
• Status – Least concern

Harris’s Hawk is a large, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk. They have a dark underside, with reddish-brown patches on the underwing coverts. The tail is white at the base, and a broad dark band is visible.

The rump is white, and the head is dark. The upper side is also dark, and the shoulder patches are reddish-brown. This species produces a short, grating call.

Harris’s Hawk nests on tall trees, cacti, cliffs, towers, windmill platforms, and nesting platforms. They use sticks and cactus pieces to build the nest, which is lined with feathers, grass, sticks, and cactus pieces. The females lay up to five eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for 31 to 36 days and the nestling period is 44 to 48 days.

Harris’s Hawk mainly feeds on mammals, including rabbits, ground squirrels, and hares. They do also eat small to medium-sized birds and reptiles.

Harris’s Hawks are a species of low conservation concern. However, their population has been declining by approximately 2% per year over the previous five decades.

The population of breeding birds is estimated to consist of 920,000 individuals. This species is threatened by habitat loss, electrocution, and a reduction in prey availability.

Where To Find Harris’s Hawks

Harris’s Hawk is a common species that is present throughout the year in the state. They are primarily found in south Texas. They inhabit semiopen desert habitats, wetlands, savannahs, and suburban and urban areas near water sources. Some of the best locations for finding this species are Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and South Padre Island.

4. Sharp-shinned Hawk

• Scientific name – Accipiter striatus
• Lifespan – 5 years (average), 12 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 9.4 to 13.4 in (24 to 34 cm)
• Weight – 3.1 to 7.7 oz (87 to 218 g)
• Wingspan – 16.9 to 22.1 in (43 to 56 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small raptor with long legs, a long tail, and a small head. They have red-orange, horizontally barred breasts. The upper side is blue-grey, and the tail has dark bands. The underwing and belly are whitish. This species produces kik-kik calls, often in series.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk typically builds nests near the top of a tall tree, close to the trunk. The nest is made from sticks and lined with pieces of bark. The female lays three to eight eggs in a clutch. The incubation period is 30 to 35 days, and the hatchlings develop for 21 to 28 days before leaving the nest.

Sharp-shinned Hawks feed on birds almost exclusively. Songbirds comprise most of their diet, including warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and robins. They prey on larger birds like woodpeckers, doves and swifts occasionally. Besides birds, they feed on insects and small mammals such as mice and voles.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are of low conservation concern, and the population of around 1 million breeding individuals is stable. This species’ threats include pesticides (especially DDT in prey items), shooting, and hunting.

Where To Find Sharp-shinned Hawks

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a common winter visitor to Texas. They have been seen throughout the state in habitats such as forest edges and suburban areas. Birding sites where you can find this species are Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

5. Cooper’s Hawk

• Scientific name – Accipiter cooperii
• Lifespan – 12 years (average), 20 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 14.6 to 17.7 in (37 to 45 cm)
• Weight – 7.8 to 24 oz (220 to 680 g)
• Wingspan – 24.4 to 35.4 in (62 to 90 cm)
• Status – Least concern

Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey with broad wings, a long tail, and a large head. The upper side of this species is blue-grey, the eyes are red, and a black cap is present. The breast is barred in orange-red, and the belly and underwing are white. The tail has dark bands and a white terminal band. They produce a short cak-cak call.

Cooper’s Hawks usually place their nests in a tall tree, on top of an abandoned nest, on a mistletoe cluster, or a branch. The nest is made of sticks, and green twigs and bark pieces are used to line the nest. The female lays between two and six eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for 30 to 36 days and the nestling period is 27 to 34 days.

Cooper’s Hawk feeds on small to medium-sized birds and small mammals. Their mammal prey include chipmunks, squirrels, hares, bats, and mice. In terms of birds, they feed on woodpeckers, pigeons, doves, jays, quails, starlings, and robins.

Cooper’s Hawk is a species of low conservation concern, and the population is increasing. The number of breeding birds is estimated at 1 million individuals.

Pesticides such as DDT and hunting caused the population to decline rapidly in the past, but new laws have enabled the population to recover. Other threats include car strikes and window collisions.

Where To Find Cooper’s Hawks

Cooper’s Hawk is a very common species that is resident in the state, and some migratory birds arrive for winter. They are found in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas at birding sites, including Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Tawakoni State Park.

6. White-tailed Hawk

• Scientific name – Geranoaetus albicaudatus
• Lifespan – 10 years (average), 12 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 18.1 to 20.5 in (46 to 52 cm)
• Weight – 31 to 43.6 oz (880 to 1235 g)
• Wingspan – 50.4 to 51.6 in (128 to 131 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The White-tailed Hawk is a large hawk with long, broad wings. The underparts are white, including the tail, which has a dark band close to the tip. The primaries are dark, and the inner wing is white.

The upper side is dark, with chestnut shoulder patches, and the head is grey. The call made by this species is a high-pitched whine and two-note series.

The White-tailed Hawk nests in low trees and shrubs in open areas near water. The nest is made of sticks, grasses, and forbs. The female lays two to three eggs per clutch and incubates for 29 to 32 days. The nestling period is 47 to 53 days.

White-tailed Hawks feed on mammals almost exclusively, along with crustaceans, large insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and carrion. Individual items include shrews, mice, rats, pocket gophers, rabbits, doves, rails, meadowlarks, prairie chickens, ducks, chickens, crickets, grasshoppers, and crayfish.

White-tailed Hawks are not a species of concern, with an estimated 2 million breeding individuals occurring globally. This species is threatened by human disturbance and habitat loss mainly.

Where To Find White-tailed Hawks

The White-tailed Hawk is a relatively common resident of southern Texas. They occur in open savannahs, prairies, grasslands, and pastures. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge are good occasions for finding the species.

7. Ferruginous Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo regalis
• Lifespan – 12 years (average), 23 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 22.1 to 27.2 in (56 to 69 cm)
• Weight – 34.5 to 73.2 oz (977 to 2074 g)
• Wingspan – 52.4 to 55.9 in (133 to 142 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Ferruginous Hawk is the biggest hawk in Texas. This broad-winged raptor has a chestnut back, dark upper wings, a pale tail, and white-streaked primary feathers. The underside is white overall, with some rusty patches on the coverts and the legs are rusty. This species makes a gull-like call.

Ferruginous Hawks nest on trees, cliffs, artificial structures, shrubs, boulders, and haystacks. They often place the nest on top of abandoned nests from other species. The nest is made up of sticks, twigs, plastic, bones, and pieces of metal.

The lining is made of bark pieces, sod, or dung. Females lay up to eight eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for 32 or 33 days, and the hatchlings develop in the nest for 38 to 50 days before they fledge.

The Ferruginous Hawk diet comprises mammals, including rabbits, pocket gophers, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and hares. Occasionally, they may eat birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

The Ferruginous Hawk is not a species of conservation concern. Over the past five decades, the population has increased by nearly 1% yearly. The total breeding population is estimated to consist of 110,000 individuals. Threats this species faces include agricultural practices, mining, overgrazing, pesticides, and fire.

Where To Find Ferruginous Hawks

The Ferruginous Hawk is an uncommon species in Texas that usually only occurs in the northwestern parts of Texas during winter. They occur in shrublands, open grasslands, and forest edges. They are seen around Amarillo and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

8. Grey Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo plagiatus
• Lifespan – Unknown
• Size – 18.1 to 24 in (46 to 61 cm)
• Weight (average) – 16.8 oz (475 g)
• Wingspan (average) – 35 in (88.9 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Grey Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with short, round wings and a long tail. Their plumage is grey overall, with a paler grey head, and the chest has fine barring. The tail has black and white bands. The call made by this species is a three-note whistle.

The Grey Hawk mainly nests near the top of cottonwood trees on the outer branches, often near rivers. They also nest in oak, willow, ash, and walnut trees. The nest is built with leafy twigs. The lining comprises leaves (mainly cottonwood and willow leaves) and bark pieces. The female lays one to four eggs in a clutch and incubates for 32 to 34 days. The nestling period is 42 days.

Grey Hawks feed on reptiles mainly. The prey items include horned lizards, spiny lizards, tree lizards, whip snakes, and garter snakes. Occasionally, they eat birds, small mammals, amphibians, and insects.

The Grey Hawk is not of conservation concern as they have a global population of approximately 2 million breeding birds and an increasing trend. Habitat destruction and groundwater depletion threaten this species.

Where To Find Grey Hawks

The Grey Hawk has a limited range in Texas, where it is reasonably common. They are most frequently seen in summer, but some birds remain all year round. They occur in thorny scrub, riverside woodlands, and forest edges, especially near willows and cottonwoods. Big Bend National Park and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge are good locations for this species.

9. Zone-tailed Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo albonotatus
• Lifespan – 4 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 17.7 to 22.1 in (45 to 56 cm)
• Weight – 21.4 to 23.5 oz (607 to 667 g)
• Wingspan – 46.9 to 55.1 in (119 to 140 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Zone-tailed Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey with broad wings. Their bodies are blackish-grey overall. A white band is on the tail, and the wings have dark trailing edges. The underwings are black and white with fine barring. The call produced by this species is a high-pitched kreeee-ah.

The Zone-tailed Hawk usually nests in cottonwoods, willows, oaks, and pines along rivers. The nest is made of sticks, and the lining is created using leaves, bark, moss, and pine needles. Females lay one to three eggs per clutch. The eggs are incubated for 28 to 34 days, and the hatchlings develop for 41 to 53 days before leaving the nest.

Zone-tailed Hawks feed mainly on mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. In particular, prey items include meadowlarks, sparrows, kingbirds, thrushes, jays, nightjars, quails, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and lizards.

The Zone-tailed Hawk is not a species of conservation concern. The total number of breeding individuals is estimated to comprise 2 million individuals. Their range is expanding further into the United States, and the population trend is increasing. The threats this species faces are habitat destruction and modification which impacts nesting and foraging areas, as well as shooting.

Where To Find Zone-tailed Hawks

The Zone-tailed Hawk is an uncommon Texas species that can be seen throughout the year but most frequently visits the state in summer. They occur in grasslands, desert scrub, arid foothills, canyons, cliffs, and coniferous forest edges at locations such as Big Bend National Park and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.

10. Swainson’s Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo swainsoni
• Lifespan – 16 years (average), 26 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 17 to 22 in (43 to 56 cm)
• Weight – 17.6 to 59.2 oz (500 to 1700 g)
• Wingspan – 46 to 54 in (117 to 137 cm)
• Status – Least concern

Swainson’s Hawk is a medium-sized, long-winged, short-tailed hawk. The plumage varies by individual, but most have reddish-brown chests, whitish bellies, and brownish-grey uppersides. The dark flight feathers contrast with the pale coverts on the underwing.

Males and females appear similar, except for the heads, which are grey on males and brown on females. This species produces a shrill kreeee call.

Swainson’s Hawks nest in small tree groves near streams. The nest is typically placed near the top of a tall tree near a stream. The nest is built from sticks and artificial debris such as rope and wire. Materials used to line the nest include bark pieces, twigs, grasses, leaves, and hay. This species sometimes takes over abandoned corvid nests.

A female can lay one to five eggs per clutch. The eggs are incubated for 34 or 35 days. Once the chicks hatch, they develop for 17 to 22 days before they leave the nest.

The Swainson’s Hawk mainly feeds on mammals during the breeding season, including mice, rabbits, bats, ground squirrels, gophers, and voles. They feed on insects almost exclusively in the non-breeding season, including butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and dragonflies.

Swainson’s Hawk is not a species of conservation concern, and the population has shown an increasing trend over the past several decades, with an increase of around 1% per year. It is estimated that the breeding population comprises 900,000 individuals.

Historically, this species was persecuted, leading to a dramatic decline in population size. They are still threatened by pesticides such as DDT and reduction in nesting sites and prey availability.

Where To Find Swainson’s Hawks

The Swainson’s Hawk occurs in Texas during summer. It is a common species found throughout the state, particularly in the west, in open areas such as grasslands, prairies, and agricultural land. Brazos Bend State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area are top birding sites for finding this species.

11. Broad-winged Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo platypterus
• Lifespan – 12 years (average), 18 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 13.4 to 17.3 in (34 to 44 cm)
• Weight – 9.3 to 19.8 oz (265 to 560 g)
• Wingspan – 31.9 to 39.4 in (81 to 100 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Broad-winged Hawk is a small hawk that has broad wings. They have brown heads and upper parts, and the underside is barred brown. The underwing is pale with a dark outline, and the tail is prominently banded. This species makes a kee-eee whistled call.

Broad-winged Hawks nest in forests close to water bodies. The nest is typically placed against the tree’s trunk on a branch or in a crotch low down. The nest is created using sticks and is lined with moss, feathers, pine needles, and lichen.

A female usually lays between one and five eggs in each clutch. The female incubates the eggs for 28 to 31 days, and the hatchlings remain in the nest for a further 35 to 42 days before they fledge.

The Broad-winged Hawk preys upon small mammals, amphibians, and insects. Their most frequent prey items are frogs, toads, and rodents.

The Broad-winged Hawk is not of conservation concern and has an increasing population trend. The breeding population consists of approximately 1.9 million individuals. Habitat loss and destruction, human disturbance, and hunting threaten this species.

Where To Find Broad-winged Hawks

The Broad-winged Hawk is commonly seen while on migration in spring and autumn in the eastern and southern sections of the state. In summer, they occur in the far east of the state. This species usually inhabits deciduous or mixed forests in places such as Lake Tawakoni State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area.

12. Northern Goshawk

• Scientific name – Accipiter gentilis
• Lifespan – 7 years (average), 17 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 20.9 to 25.2 in (53 to 64 cm)
• Weight – 22.3 to 48.1 oz (631 to 1364 g)
• Wingspan – 40.5 to 46.1 in (103 to 117 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Northern Goshawk is a large bird of prey with broad wings and a long tail. The upper parts and cap are slate-grey, while their bellies are grey and finely barred. The eye is red, and a conspicuous white eyebrow is visible. This species produces a loud ki-ki-ki call.

Northern Goshawks nest in forests with openings in the canopy. The nest is placed on a large branch in a tall tree next to the tree trunk. The nest is made from sticks and lined with bark pieces and green plant material. This species sometimes takes over abandoned nests built by other species. Females lay between two and four eggs in a clutch, and the eggs are incubated for between 28 and 38 days. The hatchlings stay on the nest for 34 to 35 days before they leave.

The Northern Goshawk feeds on various animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion. They eat large birds, including crows, jays, woodpeckers, and grouse. Mammalian prey comprises cottontails, ground squirrels, hares, and jackrabbits.

The Northern Goshawk is a low conservation concern species with a stable population of an estimated 420,000 breeding individuals. This species is threatened by hunting and shooting, especially by poultry farmers that perceive the goshawk as a threat to their livestock. Habitat destruction and logging are the most severe threats that this species faces.

Where To Find Northern Goshawks

The Northern Goshawk is a very scarce bird in Texas with a limited range. They only occur during winter in the northern part of the state, near Amarillo. They inhabit mature and old-growth forests.

13. Rough-legged Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteo lagopus
• Lifespan – 2 years (average), 18 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 18.5 to 20.5 in (47 to 52 cm)
• Weight – 25.2 to 49.4 oz (715 to 1400 g)
• Wingspan – 52 to 54.3 in (132 to 138 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Rough-legged Hawk is a large bird of prey with narrow wings. They have a dark brown, well-patterned back. The underparts are white with a dark patch on the belly. The underwings are whitish with dark carpal patches, and the head is usually pale. The call of this species is similar to a cat’s mew.

Rough-legged Hawks usually build nests on cliff edges, but they may use man-made structures or trees as nesting sites. The nest is made from sticks and bones on occasion. The lining of the nest comprises feathers, grasses, twigs, sedges, and fur.

Females lay one to seven eggs in a clutch. The eggs are incubated for between 31 and 37 days. The hatchlings remain in the nest for 31 to 45 days after hatching.

The Rough-legged Hawk mainly feeds on mice, voles, ground squirrels, rabbits, and shrews.

Rough-legged Hawks are not of conservation concern, as they have a stable breeding population of approximately 590,000 individuals. The population size fluctuates drastically depending on the region’s food availability and climatic conditions. Car strikes and habitat destruction also threaten them.

Where To Find Rough-legged Hawks

The Rough-legged Hawk is an uncommon species that visits the state during winter. They are primarily seen in the state’s north on prairies, fields, dunes, semideserts, marshes, bogs, and shrubsteppe habitats. Good locations for finding this species are Lake Rita Blanca and around Lubbock.

14. Northern Harrier

• Scientific name – Circus hudsonius
• Lifespan – 8 years (average), 16 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 18.1 to 19.7 in (46 to 50 cm)
• Weight – 10.6 to 26.5 oz (300 to 750 g)
• Wingspan – 40.2 to 46.5 in (102 to 118 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Northern Harrier is a long, slender bird of prey with long wings and a long tail. The male is grey on the upper side and white on the underside. On the other hand, the female has brown upper parts and pale underparts with brown streaks. A white rump is visible on both sexes. This species’ call is a series of kek notes.

Northern Harriers nest on the ground, with their nests made in brushtails, reeds, willows, grasses, and other dense vegetation. The nest comprises alders, cattails, willows, and other thick plant materials.

The lining is created using grasses, sedges, and rushes. Each female lays four to five eggs in a clutch. The incubation period of the eggs is between 28 and 36 days and the nestling period is 14 days.

Northern Harriers eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Their particular prey items are meadowlarks, sparrows, cardinals, mice, voles, rabbits, and shrews.

The Northern Harrier is of low conservation concern, but the global population is declining. The population has reduced by approximately 34% over the past five decades, and the breeding population is estimated to comprise 820,000 individuals.

The most severe threats this species faces are habitat loss due development of wetlands for agriculture and wetland draining. Their prey items have decreased in abundance because of pesticide use and increased crop fields, leading to reduced food availability.

Where To Find Northern Harriers

The Northern Harrier is a very common species that occurs within the state boundaries in winter. They occur throughout the state over wetlands, grasslands, marshlands, upland prairies, meadows, fields, shrubsteppe, and riverside woodland. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center and Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary are good sites to visit when looking for this species.

15. Common Black Hawk

• Scientific name – Buteogallus anthracinus
• Lifespan – 7 years (maximum recorded)
• Size – 16.9 to 22.1 in (43 to 56 cm)
• Weight (average) – 27.9 oz (790 g)
• Wingspan (average) – 46.1 in (117 cm)
• Status – Least concern

The Common Black Hawk is a large, broad-winged raptor with a short tail. Their plumage is black overall, and a white band on the tail is prominent, along with the white tip. The typical call made by this species is a high-pitched klee.

The Common Black Hawk nests in large trees along rivers. The nest is usually placed in a crotch or fork of a tree. The nest is made of sticks and lined with fresh leaves. Females lay three or four eggs per clutch. The eggs are incubated for 38 days and the nestling period is 41 to 52 days.

Common Black Hawks feed primarily on fish, small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Prey items vary and include wasps, grasshoppers, waterbugs, centipedes, ants, butterflies, crayfish, clams, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, and rabbits. They rarely feed on birds.

Common Black Hawks are not of conservation concern because they have an extensive range. The total breeding population is estimated to comprise 2 million individuals. This species is threatened by agricultural practices that dry out the water table, overgrazing, and invasive plant species that impact their preferred habitat.

Where To Find Common Black Hawks

The Common Black Hawk is a rare Texan species that migrates to the western parts of the state for summer. They inhabit riparian forests, mangroves, swamps, marshes, canyon bottoms, and deserts. They are located at Davis Mountains State Park and Big Bend National Park.

Conclusion

Texas has a diverse range of hawks that vary in species composition and abundance according to the season. Some species stay in the state all year round, others migrate for winter, and some visit the state to breed in summer. No matter what time of the year, a hawk can be seen in Texas.

The 15 species that are seen more frequently in Texas are all of low conservation concern. However, they are all still under threat from human-induced factors. They face habitat losses, which result in decreasing foraging and nesting site availability.

Their hunting ability makes them a target of persecution through shooting and pesticide use. Conservation management practices are in place to prevent further declines, and the populations of most species are now stable or increasing slightly.

Texas is one of the best states for birding in the country. Its position next to Mexico means species whose ranges end in Central America can occasionally be seen in the state. With that in mind, you should always keep an extra keen eye out when birding in the state because something extra special may be waiting to be found.