Arizona’s skies are home to an impressive variety of hawks, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk soaring above desert highways to the secretive Gray Hawk nesting along river corridors. With its diverse landscapes of deserts, grasslands, forests, and riparian zones, the state provides habitat for both resident and migratory species.
Birdwatchers in Arizona have the chance to see hawks year-round, as some live in the state permanently while others only pass through during migration. Seasonal changes bring unique opportunities, with winter visitors like Rough-legged Hawks arriving from the Arctic and Swainson’s Hawks forming massive flocks during migration.
Exploring Arizona’s deserts, mountains, and river valleys offers the chance to witness these raptors in action—whether hunting, soaring in thermals, or perched high on cacti and cliffs. This guide covers 15 types of hawks in Arizona, with details on their identification, behavior, and where to find them.
Different Types of Hawks Found in Arizona
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most widespread and easily recognized raptors in Arizona. This bird of prey is large, with broad wings and a short, wide tail that is often a rich brick-red on adults. Its plumage can vary greatly, ranging from pale to dark morphs, but the hallmark is its reddish tail. Juveniles lack the red coloration and instead have banded brown tails.
These hawks are powerful hunters, often seen soaring high above open landscapes or perched along highways and desert ridges. Their diet is diverse, with small mammals like rabbits, ground squirrels, and rodents making up most of their prey. They also occasionally feed on reptiles and other birds.
Their loud, raspy scream is iconic and often used in movies to represent raptors in general. Red-tailed Hawks are highly adaptable and can live in deserts, grasslands, forests, and even urban areas. In Arizona, they are commonly seen year-round across the entire state.
When hunting, they use their keen eyesight to spot prey from a distance before swooping down with incredible speed. Their adaptability has allowed them to remain one of the most successful and common hawks in North America.
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with short, rounded wings and a long tail, perfectly built for speed and agility. Adults have a bluish-gray back, reddish barring on the chest, and a sharp-eyed expression. Juveniles, on the other hand, are brown with streaked undersides. Their long tail, rounded at the tip, helps distinguish them from the similar Sharp-shinned Hawk.
These hawks are skilled bird hunters, specializing in catching doves, pigeons, and songbirds. They often use stealth, darting through trees and shrubs to surprise their prey. Because of this, they are frequently found in wooded habitats, including suburban neighborhoods with bird feeders.
Cooper’s Hawks are resident in Arizona year-round and are especially common in riparian areas, forests, and urban backyards. Their ability to adapt to human presence makes them one of the most commonly encountered hawks in towns and cities.
They are bold and persistent predators, sometimes even crashing into windows in pursuit of prey. Despite their fierce hunting skills, they are vulnerable to collisions, which can injure them when chasing fast-moving birds in cluttered environments.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in North America, making it more delicate in appearance compared to Cooper’s Hawks. Adults display slate-blue upperparts and a finely barred chest, while juveniles are brown with streaky undersides. Their long, square-tipped tail and small head help identify them.
These hawks are expert hunters of small birds, such as sparrows, warblers, and finches. They use surprise attacks, darting quickly through dense cover with incredible maneuverability. Their short wings and long tail allow them to navigate through forests with ease.
In Arizona, Sharp-shinned Hawks are more commonly seen during migration and winter. They breed in northern forests but move southward to spend the colder months in the Southwest. Bird feeders often attract them, as they provide easy hunting grounds.
Though small, Sharp-shinned Hawks are fierce and determined hunters. Their presence often causes songbirds to scatter in alarm. Spotting one requires keen observation, as they often appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly into cover.
Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
The Harris’s Hawk is a striking raptor known for its chocolate-brown body, chestnut shoulders, and white markings on the rump and tail tip. Unlike most hawks, it is highly social and often hunts cooperatively in family groups. This unique behavior makes it one of the most fascinating raptors in Arizona.
These hawks primarily prey on rabbits, ground squirrels, and birds. By hunting in groups, they increase their success rate, with some members flushing prey while others ambush from different directions. This teamwork is rare among raptors and sets the Harris’s Hawk apart.
In Arizona, they are most common in the desert regions of the southern part of the state, particularly in the Sonoran Desert. They favor saguaro-studded landscapes, mesquite groves, and desert washes, where they can perch high and scan for prey.
Their social nature also makes them more approachable than solitary hawks. It’s not uncommon to see them perched together on power poles or cacti. This cooperative lifestyle, along with their striking plumage, makes them a favorite among birdwatchers.
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus)
The Zone-tailed Hawk is often mistaken for a Turkey Vulture due to its dark plumage and habit of soaring with its wings held in a slight “V” shape. This mimicry helps it sneak up on unsuspecting prey, as small animals do not perceive vultures as a threat. Its black body, banded tail with white stripes, and yellow legs help distinguish it from vultures upon closer inspection.
This hawk preys on birds, reptiles, and small mammals, often using stealth to surprise its quarry. Its deceptive flight style allows it to blend in with vultures while searching for food. Once prey is spotted, it dives with precision and speed.
In Arizona, the Zone-tailed Hawk is primarily found in the central and southern parts of the state. It favors canyons, foothills, and wooded mountain slopes. During migration, it can be seen soaring with other raptors along ridges.
Because of its resemblance to vultures, many people overlook it. However, careful birders recognize its slimmer wings and bold tail bands. Spotting a Zone-tailed Hawk is a rewarding experience, as it is less common than many other hawks in the state.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Swainson’s Hawk is a slender buteo with long, pointed wings and a relatively small head. Its plumage varies, but most adults show a dark chest with a contrasting pale belly, while others may appear all dark. In flight, their wings display a distinctive two-toned look, with darker flight feathers and paler wing linings. Juveniles are lighter and streakier overall.
This hawk is a long-distance migrant, traveling from North America to Argentina each year, making one of the longest migrations of any raptor. In Arizona, they are commonly seen during spring and fall migration, often soaring in large flocks known as “kettles.” Their diet shifts seasonally, with rodents and rabbits taken during the breeding season, and insects like grasshoppers and dragonflies consumed in huge numbers during migration.
In summer, they nest in open grasslands and agricultural areas of northern and central Arizona. They prefer tall trees or utility poles for nesting, overlooking fields where prey is abundant. Farmers often appreciate their presence, as they help control insect outbreaks.
Swainson’s Hawks are highly social, often gathering in large groups during migration. Watching thousands of these raptors spiraling together in thermals is one of the most spectacular birding sights in the Southwest.
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest hawk in North America, with a wingspan reaching up to 56 inches. True to its name, it often has rusty-colored plumage on its back and legs, contrasting with a pale belly and underwings. There are also dark morphs, which appear chocolate-brown overall with lighter flight feather markings.
This powerful hunter feeds mainly on mammals such as prairie dogs, jackrabbits, and ground squirrels. Unlike other hawks that rely on perching, Ferruginous Hawks often hunt from the ground, chasing prey or waiting near burrows. Their sheer size and strength allow them to overpower animals that smaller raptors cannot.
In Arizona, they are typically seen in open grasslands, deserts, and prairies during winter months, though some may stay year-round in the northern regions. They prefer wide-open spaces where they can spot prey from a distance.
Their large nests, often built on cliffs, trees, or even on the ground, can be reused for years. With their striking appearance and impressive wingspan, Ferruginous Hawks are a favorite among bird enthusiasts in Arizona’s open country.
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
The Rough-legged Hawk is a winter visitor to Arizona, coming from the Arctic tundra where it breeds. It gets its name from its feathered legs, which extend all the way down to the toes—an adaptation to cold climates. These hawks are medium to large, with long wings and tails. They usually show a light morph with pale underparts and dark belly patches, though dark morphs also exist.
They feed primarily on small mammals such as voles, mice, and rabbits, but will also take birds when available. Unlike many hawks, they often hover in place, holding steady against the wind while scanning for prey—a behavior that makes them easy to identify.
In Arizona, Rough-legged Hawks are rare but can be spotted in open fields, agricultural lands, and grasslands during winter. They prefer flat, expansive terrain where prey is abundant. Their presence is seasonal and limited, making sightings exciting for local birders.
Their calm, buoyant flight style and striking plumage set them apart from other hawks. Spotting one in Arizona is a reminder of the long-distance journeys raptors undertake between breeding and wintering grounds.
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
The Common Black Hawk is a striking raptor with broad wings, dark plumage, and a short tail featuring a white band near the tip. Its appearance is bold and unmistakable, with yellow legs and a heavy bill adding to its strong presence.
This hawk specializes in hunting along riparian corridors, feeding on crayfish, amphibians, fish, and small mammals. Unlike most hawks, it often patrols streams and rivers, using its powerful talons to snatch prey from shallow waters. It may also soar above forests when searching for food.
In Arizona, the Common Black Hawk is mainly found in the central and southeastern parts of the state, especially along rivers such as the Verde and San Pedro. They are migratory, arriving in spring to breed and leaving by late summer or early fall.
Because of their limited range and reliance on riparian habitats, they are considered a special bird for Arizona birdwatchers. Observing them requires visiting the right locations, making them a rewarding species to spot.
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
The Gray Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with a pale gray body, finely barred chest, and striking black-and-white tail bands. Its graceful appearance and distinctive whistle-like call make it a favorite among birders.
Gray Hawks feed mainly on lizards, snakes, and small mammals. They prefer perching quietly in trees before swooping down on unsuspecting prey. Their hunting style is patient and calculated, relying on stealth rather than speed.
In Arizona, these hawks are restricted to riparian woodlands in the southern part of the state, particularly areas with cottonwood, willow, and mesquite trees near rivers. They are summer residents, migrating to Central and South America during winter.
Their specialized habitat makes them less common than other hawks, but in the right areas, their loud calls and striking flight patterns make them easier to detect. Birders often travel specifically to southern Arizona to see this elegant raptor.
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
The Broad-winged Hawk is a compact buteo with short, broad wings and a relatively short tail. Adults are brown above with barred underparts, while their tails show distinct black-and-white bands. During migration, they are often seen in large groups soaring together in a spectacular display known as “kettling.”
These hawks primarily hunt small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. They prefer to ambush prey from a perch rather than chase it in open flight. Their hunting style makes them more secretive than some of the larger, soaring hawks.
In Arizona, the Broad-winged Hawk is an uncommon migrant, most often spotted during spring and fall in southeastern regions of the state. They pass through quickly, so sightings are usually brief and seasonal.
Their presence is highly anticipated by birdwatchers, as they are less common in the West compared to the eastern United States. Spotting one among a flock of migrating raptors is always an exciting experience.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
The Northern Goshawk is the largest member of the Accipiter family, built for power and speed. Adults have slate-gray plumage, a finely barred chest, and piercing red eyes with a bold white stripe above each eye. Juveniles are brown with heavy streaks. Their long tails and short, broad wings give them excellent maneuverability.
These hawks are fierce hunters, preying on medium-sized birds, rabbits, and squirrels. They are known for their aggressive behavior when defending nests, often diving at intruders with fearless intensity.
In Arizona, Northern Goshawks are mostly found in higher elevations, such as pine and mixed-conifer forests of the northern mountains. They are secretive and blend into dense woodland habitats, making them more challenging to observe than open-country hawks.
Their elusive nature and bold personality make them a prized sighting for birders. Encountering a Northern Goshawk is often remembered as one of the most thrilling raptor experiences in Arizona’s forests.
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
The Northern Harrier is a slender, long-winged raptor with an owl-like face and a distinctive white rump patch that makes identification easy in the field. Males are pale gray with black wingtips, while females and juveniles are brown overall. Their low, gliding flight over fields is characteristic.
These hawks are unique among raptors because of their facial disk, which helps them detect sounds from small mammals hidden in grasses. They hunt by flying low over open ground, listening and watching carefully before pouncing on prey.
In Arizona, Northern Harriers are most common in winter, particularly in marshes, grasslands, and agricultural fields. They prefer wide open areas where they can sweep low to the ground in search of rodents and birds.
Their ghostly flight, especially that of the pale gray males often called “Gray Ghosts,” makes them a favorite among birdwatchers. Seeing them hunt with such precision in open landscapes is a memorable experience.
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
The White-tailed Hawk is a striking raptor with a dark upper body, pale underparts, and a bold white tail tipped with a black band. Its wings are long and broad, and when spread, they show contrasting dark shoulders and lighter flight feathers.
This hawk feeds on a wide range of prey, including rodents, snakes, birds, and large insects. It often hovers in the air, scanning the ground for movement before diving down to capture its target.
In Arizona, the White-tailed Hawk is considered a rare visitor, mostly recorded in the southernmost parts of the state near the Mexican border. It is far more common in Texas and Mexico, but occasional sightings in Arizona excite birding communities.
Its distinctive appearance and rarity make it a sought-after bird for raptor enthusiasts. Spotting one requires luck and timing, but its striking white tail leaves a lasting impression.
Great Black Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga)
The Great Black Hawk is a large, dark raptor with broad wings, long legs, and a heavy bill. Its plumage is almost entirely black, with a white tail band visible in flight. Compared to the Common Black Hawk, it is larger and more robust.
This species primarily hunts reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, often foraging along rivers and forest edges. It uses its strength and long legs to seize prey from the ground or shallow water.
In Arizona, the Great Black Hawk is an extremely rare vagrant, with only a handful of sightings ever documented. Its typical range is in Mexico, Central America, and South America, making any appearance in Arizona highly unusual.
Because of its rarity, this hawk is a legendary bird among Arizona birdwatchers. Spotting one is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adding to the mystique of Arizona’s diverse raptor population.
Best Time and Place to See Hawks in Arizona
Arizona is one of the best states in the U.S. for hawk watching thanks to its diverse landscapes ranging from deserts and grasslands to mountains and riparian forests. The best time to observe hawks depends on the species. Year-round residents such as Red-tailed Hawks, Harris’s Hawks, and Cooper’s Hawks can be spotted in every season, while migratory species like Swainson’s Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks are most visible during spring and fall migration. Winter also brings exciting visitors, including Rough-legged Hawks and Northern Harriers.
For the most spectacular views, raptor migration hotspots are prime destinations. One of the top locations is Hawkwatch International’s migration site at the Grand Canyon’s Lipan Point, where thousands of hawks pass through in September. Southern Arizona, especially areas like Tubac, the Santa Rita Mountains, and Patagonia, also hosts impressive numbers of migratory hawks. These regions are particularly good for spotting rarer species such as Gray Hawks and Common Black Hawks.
Desert regions provide unique opportunities too. The Sonoran Desert near Tucson is famous for Harris’s Hawks, often seen hunting cooperatively on cacti and power poles. Grasslands and open plains in northern and central Arizona are excellent for spotting Ferruginous Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks. By choosing the right season and location, birdwatchers can witness an incredible diversity of hawks across Arizona.
FAQs about Hawks in Arizona
What is the most common hawk in Arizona?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common and widespread hawk in Arizona. It can be found in nearly every habitat, from deserts to forests and even urban areas.
Can Harris’s Hawks really hunt in groups?
Yes, Harris’s Hawks are unique among raptors for their cooperative hunting behavior. They often form family groups, working together to flush and ambush prey, which increases their hunting success.
Where can I see rare hawks like the Gray Hawk or Common Black Hawk?
Gray Hawks and Common Black Hawks are typically found in southern Arizona, especially along riparian corridors with cottonwood and mesquite trees. Look for them near rivers like the San Pedro and Verde.
Do hawks stay in Arizona year-round?
Some species, like Red-tailed Hawks, Harris’s Hawks, and Cooper’s Hawks, are permanent residents. Others, including Swainson’s Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, and Rough-legged Hawks, migrate and are only present during specific seasons.
Are hawks dangerous to humans or pets?
Hawks generally pose no threat to humans. However, small pets like kittens, small dogs, or backyard chickens may be at risk from larger hawks if left unattended outdoors.
What is the best month to see migrating hawks in Arizona?
The peak months for hawk migration in Arizona are September and October, when thousands of raptors pass through during their southbound journeys. Spring migration, from March to May, also brings large numbers of hawks.
