Hawks
The term hawk is loosely used. It refers to a small to medium-size woodland bird with a long tail and keen eyesight. They watch their prey from a concealed perch. Once a hawk spots its prey, it swoops down and snatches it up. The prey doesn't recognize the danger until it's too late.
Hawks
- The Red-tailed Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- The Common Black Hawk
- Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
- The Red-shouldered Hawk
- The Ferruginous Hawk
- The Cooper's Hawk
- Watch Them Soar
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk
- The Swainson's Hawk
- The Broad-winged Hawk
- Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars
- The Raptor Almanac
- About the Author
- Love This Lens?
The Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most prevalent hawk in North America. It soars over the open country in search of its prey or perches in a tree at the edge of a field or meadow. With its sharp eyes peeled, it watches for the slightest movement signaling the presence of prey.
The Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
The Common Black Hawk
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 11/28/2009)![]()
A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist 06/2004
An excellent identification guide... the photos are well chosen... the text is clear and concise. Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune 08/18/2004
The Red-shouldered Hawk
Unlike most hawks, the Red-shouldered Hawk hunts from a low-lying perch. They
sit quietly, waiting and watching, until prey wanders into their line of sight. Once spotted, the prey doesn't have a prayer. The Red-shouldered Hawk swoops down and grabs his dinner.
The Red-shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk
The Ferruginous Hawk
Due to the decrease in grasslands and prairies, the Ferruginous Hawk population is on the
decline. It may end up on the endangered species list within the next year or two.
The Ferruginous Hawk

The Ferruginous Hawk
The Cooper's Hawk
The Cooper's Hawk is often confused with the Sharp-shinned Hawk. They have similar markings but the Sharp-shinned Hawk is smaller and has a squared tail. The Cooper's Hawk's tail is rounded. The tail and the size are the only truly distinctive features between the two.
The Cooper's Hawk
Watch Them Soar
The Sharp-shinned Hawk

The Sharp-shinned Hawk
The Swainson's Hawk
The Swainson's Hawk can eat an average of a hundred grasshoppers a day giving it the nickname "Grasshopper Hawk."
Swainson's Hawk

The Swainson's Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk
Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars
Perfect for watching birds of prey.
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Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars
The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.
The Raptor Almanac
The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)![]()
Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.
When did you last see a hawk? Was it on the hunt?
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- dogtraits dogtraits Jul 25, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
- Lots of nice photos
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- RV RV Jun 19, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
- Pretty powerful birds. My sister lives in the country and they had a hawk killone of their pet ducks!
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- alteredkat alteredkat Apr 15, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
- When I was a teenager walking home from school I saw a red tailed hawk picking apart some roadkill...I walked all the way home, got my camera and took some really great pics...I was amazed how close he let me get...if I ever dig them up I'll send you copies.
Thanks for popping into my domino pendant lens...as always, I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
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- CoolFoto CoolFoto Jan 5, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
- Yesterday was the last day I saw a hawk. I see them frequently in Florida. It was sitting on a tree branch. 5* to you and a lens roll to my hawk lens www.squidoo.com/hawkbirds .
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- Karolsstuff Karolsstuff Oct 6, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
- The Hawk is a great bird! Here in my backyard sometimes we see the circle of life! The hawks come by for the smaller birds!
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About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,956 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 198 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Love This Lens?
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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