Pennsylvania is a state known for its diverse wildlife, including a variety of bird species. Among these birds are hawks, which are birds of prey that are known for their keen eyesight and hunting abilities.
Pennsylvania is home to several species of hawks, each with its unique characteristics and behaviors. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just curious about the wildlife in Pennsylvania, learning about the different types of hawks in the state can be fascinating.
You are reading: 9 Types Of Hawks In Pennsylvania
In this article, we will explore the 9 types of hawks found in Pennsylvania, including their physical characteristics, habitats, and behaviors.
9 Types Of Hawks In Pennsylvania
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common hawk species found in Pennsylvania. These birds of prey are known for their keen eyesight and hunting abilities. They have sharp talons and strong hooked beaks, which they use to catch and kill their prey.
Red-tailed Hawks are often seen perched on tall structures, such as light poles or trees, scanning the surrounding area for prey. They are also known for their distinctive red tails, which can be seen when they are in flight.
Red-tailed Hawks are adaptable birds that can be found in a variety of habitats, including open fields, forests, and urban areas. They primarily feed on small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, but will also eat birds and reptiles.
Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small, compact raptor with chunky bodies and large heads. They have broad wings that come to a distinct point and a short, square tail.
Broad-winged Hawks are most easily seen during migration at hawkwatches such as Hawk Ridge, Minnesota, and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania. They are known for their distinctive piercing, two-parted whistle call.
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Broad-winged Hawks hunt small animals from perches underneath the forest canopy and sometimes soar above the canopy or across gaps such as roadcuts. They are inconspicuous, perch-hunting, generalist predators that feed largely on small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Broad-winged Hawks prefer to nest in dense deciduous or mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, often near water and near clearings or edges. They usually lay 2-3 whitish eggs, which are usually spotted with brown, and incubation is almost entirely by the female.
Northern Goshawk
The Northern Goshawk is a large bird of prey and the largest and bulkiest of the accipiters. They are an accipiter, a type of hawk with short, broad wings and a long rudder-like tail that give them superb aerial agility.
Northern Goshawks are mostly gray with bold white “eyebrow” stripes over piercing orange to red eyes. They are powerful predators of northern and mountain woods and hunt inside the forest or along its edge. They take their prey by putting on short bursts of speed and often plunging through tangled branches and thickets in pursuit of quarry.
Northern Goshawks are mostly found in large tracts of forest and are vocal near their nests. They are fiercely defensive and have been known to attack people who come too close to a nest.
Northern Goshawks are mostly found in coniferous and mixed forests and are often more common as a breeding bird in mixed woods than in pure stands of coniferous trees. They feed on large prey such as hares and grouse.
The Northern Goshawk has been split into two species based on significant morphological and genetic differences: the Eurasian goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and the American goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus).
Rough-legged Hawk
The Rough-legged Hawk, also known as the Rough-legged Buzzard, is a medium-large bird of prey found in Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Russia during the breeding season and migrates south for the winter. Here are some key facts about the Rough-legged Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Fairly large hawks with broad wings that are fairly long and narrow compared to other Buteo hawks.
– The tail is also longer than in other Buteo hawks.
– Plumage is variable, but light morphs are generally pale with a dark belly and dark patches on the wrists and upper wing.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Rough-legged Hawks hunt over open land, feeding primarily on small mammals.
– They are often seen hovering over fields, watching for movement below, or watching from a perch, or patrolling low over the ground.
– They are found in tundra escarpments, arctic coasts, and in winter, open fields, plains, marshes, farmland, and dunes.
– They breed mostly on tundra, in areas having cliffs for nest sites, and some breed along the northern edge of the coniferous forest zone.
Reproduction:
– Nests are typically located on cliffs, bluffs, or in trees.
– Clutch sizes are variable with food availability, but three to five eggs are usually laid.
– Eggs are pale bluish-white, fading to white, blotched with brown and violet.
– Incubation is by the female, roughly 31 days (male may sometimes sit on eggs briefly).
Conservation Status:
– Local populations in the Arctic go up and down, largely as a result of rodent populations there.
– Overall numbers of Rough-legged Hawks are apparently healthy.
Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found in the open country of the Great Plains and the West. Here are some key facts about Swainson’s Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Swainson’s Hawks are buteos, meaning they are large hawks with fairly broad wings and short tails.
– They are slimmer and longer-winged than many other buteos, with their wings typically held in a shallow V when soaring.
– They are elegant gray, white, and brown hawks with piercing orange to red eyes.
– They are larger than a Cooper’s Hawk but smaller than a Ferruginous Hawk.
– They measure 18.9-22.1 in (48-56 cm) in length and weigh 24.4-48.2 oz (693-1367 g).
Habitat and Behavior:
– Swainson’s Hawks hunt rodents in flight, wings held in a shallow V, or even run after insects on the ground.
– They are often seen soaring on narrow wings or perching on fence posts and irrigation spouts.
– They are found in plains, dry grassland, farmland, and ranch country.
– They breed most commonly on the northern Great Plains, in prairie regions with scattered groves of trees for nest sites.
– They are less common in dry grassland farther west and in heavily farmed country.
– They are skilled at catching flying insects in the air and may concentrate near grass fires, watching for prey driven into the open by the flames.
Reproduction:
– Swainson’s Hawks usually lay 2-3 pale bluish-white eggs, which are usually lightly spotted with brown.
– Incubation is almost all by the female, about 34-35 days.
Conservation Status:
– Swainson’s Hawks have declined seriously in much of their nesting range, especially in California, but overall numbers are apparently healthy.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
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The Sharp-shinned Hawk, also known as the Northern sharp-shinned hawk, is a small hawk species found in the United States and Canada. Here are some key facts about the Sharp-shinned Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Sharp-shinned Hawks are the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada, with males being the smallest hawks overall.
– They are small, long-tailed hawks with short, rounded wings and small heads.
– The tail tends to be square-tipped and may show a notch at the tip.
– Females are considerably larger than males, approaching the size of a male Cooper’s Hawk.
– They measure 9.4-13.4 in (24-34 cm) in length and weigh 3.1-7.7 oz (87-218 g).
Habitat and Behavior:
– Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile fliers that speed through dense woods to surprise their prey, typically songbirds.
– They do not stoop on prey from high overhead.
– They are found in deep-woods homes and are easiest to spot in fall on their southward migration, or occasionally at winter feeders.
– They are incredibly elusive while nesting, spending their summers under the canopy of dense forests, occasionally coming out to hunt.
Reproduction:
– Sharp-shinned Hawks usually lay 4-5 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 30 days.
– The young fledge after about 25-30 days.
Identification:
– It can be tough to tell if you’re looking at a Cooper’s Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
– Sharp-shinned Hawks have distinctive proportions: long legs, short wings, and very long tails.
– They are gray above with pale orange barring below as adults, while immatures are browner and streaky.
Conservation Status:
– Sharp-shinned Hawks are not considered threatened or endangered.
Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from southern Canada to Mexico. Here are some key facts about Cooper’s Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized hawks with broad, rounded wings and a very long tail.
– The head often appears large, the shoulders broad, and the tail rounded.
– Males are smaller than females.
– They measure 14.6-17.7 in (37-45 cm) in length and weigh 7.8-24.0 oz (220-680 g).
Habitat and Behavior:
– Cooper’s Hawks are woodland raptors that specialize in eating birds.
– They are built for fast flight through an obstacle course of trees and are often seen darting through dense woods in pursuit of prey.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and urban areas.
– They are known for their agility and speed, which they use to catch prey in flight.
Reproduction:
– Cooper’s Hawks usually lay 2-5 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 30-36 days.
– The young fledge after about 25-34 days.
Identification:
– Cooper’s Hawks have the classic accipiter shape: broad, rounded wings and a very long tail.
– They are larger than a Sharp-shinned Hawk and about crow-sized, but males can be much smaller.
– They are gray above with pale orange barring below as adults, while immatures are browner and streaky.
Conservation Status:
– Cooper’s Hawks are not considered threatened or endangered.
Red-shouldered Hawk
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized buteo that is native to North America. Here are some key facts about the Red-shouldered Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Red-shouldered Hawks are medium-sized hawks with broad, rounded wings and medium-length tails that they fan out when soaring.
– They are noticeably smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk but larger than a Broad-winged Hawk.
– They measure 16.9-24.0 in (43-61 cm) in length and weigh 17.1-27.3 oz (486-774 g).
– They have barred reddish-peachy underparts and a strongly banded tail.
– In flight, translucent crescents near the wingtips help to identify the species at a distance.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Red-shouldered Hawks are woodland raptors that specialize in eating birds, small mammals, and reptiles.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including bottomland woods, wooded streamsides, swamps, and pine woods.
– They are often heard before they are seen, with their clear whistled calls being conspicuous, especially in spring.
– They usually hunt by watching from a perch, either within forest or in open, swooping down when it locates prey.
– They may use hearing as well as sight to locate prey.
Reproduction:
– Red-shouldered Hawks usually lay 2-4 pale bluish-white eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 33 days.
– The young fledge after about 30-40 days.
Conservation Status:
– Red-shouldered Hawks are far less numerous than historically in some areas, including the upper Midwest and parts of the Atlantic Coast, but current populations are thought to be stable in most regions.
Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk is a medium-sized hawk of the genus Buteo. Here are some key facts about the Broad-winged Hawk:
Physical Characteristics:
– Broad-winged Hawks are small, compact raptors with chunky bodies and large heads.
– In flight, their broad wings come to a distinct point, and the tail is short and square.
– They measure 13.4-17.3 in (34-44 cm) in length and weigh 9.3-19.8 oz (265-560 g).
Habitat and Behavior:
– Broad-winged Hawks are woodland raptors that specialize in eating small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, and groves.
– They are often not very noticeable during the breeding season, staying around the edges of forests.
– They are most easily seen during migration at hawkwatches such as Hawk Ridge, Minnesota, and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania.
– They form sometimes enormous aerial flocks, especially in southern Texas, in Mexico along the Gulf coast in Veracruz, and along the shores of the Great Lakes.
Reproduction:
– Broad-winged Hawks usually lay 2-3 whitish eggs, which are usually spotted with brown.
– Incubation is almost entirely by the female, 28-31 days.
Conservation Status:
– Broad-winged Hawks are not considered threatened or endangered.
FAQS
1. What types of hawks can be found in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to 9 types of hawks, including the Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Broad-winged Hawk.
2. Where can I find hawks in Pennsylvania?
Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats in Pennsylvania, including forests, woodlands, open fields, and urban areas. Some of the best places to spot hawks in Pennsylvania include national and state parks, as well as hawkwatches such as Hawk Ridge and Hawk Mountain.
3. What do hawks eat?
Hawks are birds of prey that primarily feed on small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, as well as birds, reptiles, and insects.
4. How can I identify different types of hawks?
Identifying different types of hawks can be challenging, as many species look similar. However, there are some key physical characteristics to look for, such as size, shape, and coloration. It’s also helpful to learn the distinctive calls and behaviors of each species.
5. Are hawks endangered in Pennsylvania?
Most species of hawks in Pennsylvania are not considered threatened or endangered. However, some populations have declined in certain areas, and conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these birds of prey.
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Category: Birds
