Birds of Prey: Hawks

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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.

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 

The Common Black Hawk usually lives in the lowland areas of Central and South America, but can be seen as far north as the Southwestern United States in the summer time. They are opportunistic predators and will feed on whatever comes in its line of vision, including snakes and other birds.

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: $13.22 (as of 07/10/2009)Buy Now

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 is often confused with the Cooper's Hawk. Their coloring is similiar, but the Sharp-shinned Hawk is smaller in size and had a square tail.

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 

The Broad-winged Hawk is rarely found west of the Rocky Mountains. They are frequently seen migrating in huge flocks with several hundred traveling together.

Watch them Soar! 

Your Favorite Hawk 

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The Raptor Almanac 

The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)Buy Now

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? 

RV wrote...

Pretty powerful birds. My sister lives in the country and they had a hawk killone of their pet ducks!

ReplyPosted June 19, 2009

alteredkat wrote...

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.

ReplyPosted April 15, 2009

CoolFoto wrote...

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 .

ReplyPosted January 05, 2009

Karolsstuff wrote...

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!

ReplyPosted October 06, 2008

OhMe wrote...

We enjoy watching the Red Shouldered Hawks in our backyard and I enjoyed reading another one of your wonderful lenses. Our Fall Festival is Oct 11 and the Carolina Raptor Center will be here with a hawk or two. 5*

ReplyPosted September 21, 2008

About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,690 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 169 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. 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

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