In North Carolina, the diverse landscape provides habitat for many notable wildlife species, including many different species of hawks. The state has some 14 beautifully diverse types of hawks, each with its own characteristics and adaptations to its environment.
We wrote this article to share with you the types of hawks found in North Carolina along with their pictures and identifying characteristics.
Different types of Hawks in North Carolina
Gray Hawk (Buteo Plagiatus)
North Carolina is home to the little raptor known as the Gray Hawk, or Buteo plagiatus. These hawks are distinguished by their banded tail and gray feathers, which give them their name. Because of their agility in the air, gray hawks can hunt through dense woodlands and get to their target.
It is mostly made up of birds and tiny mammals. They are adaptable hunters because they have also been observed to consume insects and reptiles. In order to find places to hunt and build their nests, these hawks favor environments that include open spaces with woods.
Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo Lineatus)
The characteristic that gives them their name—their reddish-brown shoulders—and their banded tail make Red-shouldered Hawks clearly identifiable. Medium-sized raptors, Red-shouldered Hawks are distinguished by a loud, characteristic call that is frequently audible before the bird is observed.
With their strong talons, they capture small animals, amphibians, and reptiles for their main food source. These hawks favor forested areas close to bodies of water because there is a lot of food there. They are also well-suited to suburban settings, where they are frequently seen in backyards.
Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo Platypterus)
Broad-winged Hawk is a small but powerful predatory bird found in North Carolina. These hawks are distinguished by their characteristic, high-pitched whistle, as well as their large wings and short tails, which give them their name.
Broad-winged Hawks are nimble acrobaticists that can navigate through thick forests in search of their prey, which is mostly insects, small mammals, and birds. They have also been observed to consume reptiles and amphibians, demonstrating their adaptability as hunters.
Because they can nest and hunt in forests, these hawks like those environments. Their amazing migratory flights, during which thousands of hawks can be seen soaring in unison across the sky, are what make them most famous.
Short-Tailed Hawk (Buteo Brachyurus)
An uncommon prey bird that is occasionally seen in North Carolina is the short-tailed hawk. These hawks are distinguished by their large, broad wings and short tails. Agile aviators, short-tailed hawks are distinguished by their soaring flight as they search the ground for their meal, which contains birds and small mammals.
They are adaptable hunters since they have also been observed to consume insects. Where they may hunt and build their nests, these hawks favor environments that are a combination of open spaces and woodlands.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo Swainsoni)
The long, pointed wings and characteristic flying behavior of Swainson’s hawks, which frequently involves circling in large circles, are well-known features. As adaptable hunters, Swainson’s Hawks consume a wide range of prey, such as insects, birds, and small mammals. They have also been observed to consume amphibians and reptiles, demonstrating their versatility as hunters.
Open areas where they may readily see their prey from the air, such fields and grasslands, are preferred by these hawks. In addition, they are well-known for their breathtaking migratory flights, which take them thousands of miles from their North American breeding sites to their South American wintering grounds each.
Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo Jamaicensis)
These hawks, which are named for their reddish-brown tails, are frequently seen in North Carolina’s skies. Large raptors, red-tailed hawks are distinguished by their short, wide tail and broad, rounded wings. Their strong talons are used to catch small mammals, which is their main source of food.
These hawks are among the most common in North America because they like a range of environments, including fields, woodlands, and deserts. They are also frequently seen in backyards due to its excellent adaptability to suburban and urban environments.
Rough-Legged Hawk (Buteo Lagopus)
Large birds of prey, such as the Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus), are common in North Carolina, particularly in the winter. These hawks are distinguished by their name-giving feathered legs and a unique flight pattern that frequently involves hovering in midair.
Rough-legged Hawks are adaptable hunters that consume a wide range of food, such as insects, birds, and small mammals. They can also be found eating carrion, which demonstrates how versatile they are as hunters. Open areas where they may readily see their prey from the air, such fields and grasslands, are preferred by these hawks.
Zone-Tailed Hawk (Buteo Albonotatus)
Known by its scientific name Buteo albonotatus, the Zone-tailed Hawk is a rare species of prey that is occasionally seen in North Carolina. These hawks get their name from the characteristic white bands on their tail that stand out against their black feathers. The Zone-tailed Hawk is a swift aviator.
They renowned for their soaring flight as they search the ground for small mammals, birds, and reptiles—their prey. To further demonstrate their adaptability as hunters, they are also known to devour insects. Where they may hunt and build their nests, these hawks favor environments that are a combination of open spaces and woodlands.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter Striatus)
The interesting Sharp-shinned Hawk is a predatory bird that lives in North Carolina. Don’t be fooled by their size; Sharp-shinned Hawks are the second smallest Accipiter genus members in North America. They are skilled hunters that are renowned for their quick reflexes and dexterity.
Pale, barred underparts and a slate-gray upper body are characteristics of Sharp-shinned Hawks. Their slender, rounded wings are ideal for slicing through dense woodlands in search of their meal. Small birds are their main food source, which these hawks frequently capture midair after an exciting chase.
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter Cooperii)
A formidable presence in the world of birds, the Cooper’s Hawk is marginally bigger than the Sharp-shinned Hawk. These hawks are well-known for both their unusual look and hunting prowess. Cooper’s Hawks have a pale underside with fine, reddish bars and a slate-gray back.
Their lengthy, rounded tails with wide bands are one of their most distinctive characteristics. These hawks are skilled flyers who can make their way through thick forests in search of their prey, which is mostly small to medium-sized birds. It is also known for Cooper’s Hawks to visit backyards, particularly those equipped with bird feeders.
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus Anthracinus)
Rarely seen in North Carolina, the Common Black Hawk is a distinctive predatory bird. With the exception of a few white spots on their tail, these hawks are distinguished by nearly all-black feathers. With a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet, common black hawks are medium-sized raptors.
Their slow, soaring flight is well-known, and they frequently soar low over the ground in pursuit of their favorite prey, which is amphibians, small mammals, and reptiles. Since there is an abundance of food in marshes and riverine woods, these hawks favor sites close to bodies of water.
Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo Unicinctus)
Among the raptors of North Carolina, Harris’s Hawks are distinct due to their gregarious activity. Since Harris’s Hawks are known to hunt in packs, unlike most raptors, they have been dubbed the “wolves of the sky.” Medium-sized predators, Harris’s Hawks have dark brown feathers that are offset by reddish-brown thighs and shoulders.
They are easily recognized by the characteristic white band at the base of their tail. These hawks’ cooperative hunting style enables them to take down larger prey. Their primary food sources are small mammals and birds. Their nesting practices also reflect their gregarious nature, with several birds frequently sharing a single nest.
White-Tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus Albicaudatus)
The White-tailed Hawk is a visually stunning predatory bird that is occasionally spotted above North Carolina. These hawks are distinguished by their striking coloring, which consists of a white tail and underparts with a dark gray upper body. The wingspan of a white-tailed hawk can extend up to 4.5 feet, making it a medium-sized to giant raptor.
They can frequently be seen circling high in the sky, using their soaring flight to search the ground for their prey, which consists of tiny animals, birds, and reptiles. Open areas where they may readily see their prey from the air, such fields and grasslands, are preferred by these hawks.
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