Pennsylvania's varied landscapes, from the rugged Appalachian Mountains to the rolling farmlands and dense forests, create a rich tapestry of habitats that support an impressive diversity of raptors. Among these aerial predators, hawks stand out as powerful and efficient hunters, each uniquely adapted to its niche.
For birdwatchers, identifying these magnificent birds in flight or perched can be a thrilling challenge, requiring keen observation of their size, shape, flight style, and subtle plumage differences.
While Pennsylvania is a vital pathway for many migratory raptors, it also boasts a robust population of resident hawks. This article explores eight prominent hawk species you can find in the Keystone State, detailing their unique characteristics and the distinctions that help set them apart.
1. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) – The Ubiquitous Soarer
Undoubtedly the most common and widely recognized hawk across North America, the Red-tailed Hawk is a ubiquitous sight in Pennsylvania. Its broad wings and short, fanned tail are characteristic of the Buteo genus (buzzard hawks).
- Identification: Adults are unmistakable with a rusty-red tail (often seen from below when soaring). Their underside is pale with a distinctive band of dark streaking across the belly. A dark mark on the leading edge of the underwing (the "patagial mark") is another key identifier. Juveniles lack the red tail, having a finely barred brown tail instead.
- Habitat: Extremely adaptable, found in virtually all open and semi-open habitats: farmlands, woodlands, urban fringes, and highways.
- Flight: Often seen soaring in wide circles high above, or perched prominently on telephone poles, trees, or light posts.
- Difference: Its broad wings, soaring flight, and classic red tail (in adults) distinguish it from almost all other hawks.
2. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) – The Woodland Specialist
A beautiful and vocal woodland hawk, the Red-shouldered Hawk is a resident throughout forested areas of Pennsylvania.
- Identification: Adults have striking reddish-brown barring on their chest and belly, and bold black-and-white barring on their wings and tail. The "red shoulders" are sometimes visible, but not always reliable for ID. They have a characteristic crescent-shaped translucent patch near the wingtips when soaring. Juveniles are streaky brown.
- Habitat: Prefers mature deciduous or mixed forests, especially near water (rivers, swamps, bottomlands).
- Flight: Often soars but also actively hunts within the forest canopy. They frequently perch upright within trees.
- Voice: Known for its loud, piercing, often repeated "kee-aah" call.
- Difference: Its distinct voice, preference for wet woodlands, finer barring on underparts, and black-and-white tail bars (wider and more defined than a Cooper's Hawk) separate it from the Red-tailed.
3. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) – The Migratory Powerhouse
While present in Pennsylvania during the breeding season, the Broad-winged Hawk is most famous for its spectacular fall migration, when thousands or tens of thousands form "kettles" (swirling flocks) as they move south.
- Identification: Small, compact Buteo with relatively short, broad wings and a short tail. Adults have broad, alternating black and white bands on the tail. Underparts are pale with a brownish wash. Juveniles are streaky below.
- Habitat: Breeds in extensive deciduous or mixed forests.
- Flight: High-soaring, especially during migration, but also hunts from perches.
- Voice: A high-pitched, piercing "pee-teeee."
- Difference: Its smaller size, more compact shape, and characteristic bold tail bands distinguish it from Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, especially during migration.
4. Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) – The Agile Avian Hunter
A true "bird hawk," the Cooper's Hawk is a master of navigating dense woodlands in pursuit of its prey. Its population has rebounded well, and it's now a common resident in many suburban and rural areas.
- Identification: Long tail, relatively short, rounded wings, and a slender body. Adults have a blue-gray back, rusty-barred underparts, and a dark cap that contrasts with a paler nape. Juveniles are streaky brown with a duller back. The tail is long with dark bands.
- Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, and increasingly, suburban areas with mature trees.
- Flight: Characterized by several quick wing beats followed by a glide; very agile in navigating through trees.
- Difference: Its long tail (rounded at the tip, unlike the Square-tailed Sharp-shinned), short, rounded wings, and overall body shape are key. Its dark cap extending down the nape is a key distinction from the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
5. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) – The Small, Swift Predator
The smallest Accipiter, the Sharp-shinned Hawk is another bird hawk, often seen darting through dense cover in pursuit of songbirds. It's a common migrant through Pennsylvania and some breed in northern parts of the state.
- Identification: Very similar to Cooper's Hawk but smaller, with a proportionally smaller head that barely projects beyond the wings in flight. The tail is square-tipped (sometimes notched, but not rounded). Adults have a blue-gray back, rusty-barred underparts, and a dark cap that doesn't extend onto the nape. Juveniles are streaky brown.
- Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests for breeding; found in various wooded and suburban areas during migration.
- Flight: Similar to Cooper's – a few wing beats followed by a glide, but often appears more erratic.
- Difference: Smaller size, smaller head projection, and a square-tipped tail are the main distinctions from the Cooper's Hawk. Very challenging to separate from Cooper's unless size context or specific head/tail features are clear.
6. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) – The Powerful Forest Phantom
The largest and most powerful of the Accipiters, the America Goshawk is a rare and elusive resident of mature, extensive forests, primarily in the mountainous regions of Pennsylvania.
- Identification: Large, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. Adults are slate-gray above with fine gray barring below, a dark cap, and a prominent white eyebrow stripe. Juveniles are heavily streaked brown.
- Habitat: Remote, mature coniferous or mixed forests with dense canopy.
- Flight: Direct, powerful flight with strong wing beats. Often flies low through the forest.
- Difference: Its sheer size, robust build, and distinct white eyebrow stripe are key. Its rarity and preference for deep forest make it a challenging but rewarding sighting.
7. Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) – The Arctic Winter Visitor
The Rough-legged Hawk is a large Buteo that visits Pennsylvania during the winter months, typically arriving from its Arctic breeding grounds.
- Identification: Two color morphs: light and dark. Light morphs are most common: pale head, dark belly patch, dark carpal patches (at the "wrist" of the wing), and a distinct white tail base with a broad dark terminal band. Dark morphs are uniformly dark brown. Notably, their legs are feathered all the way to the toes (hence "rough-legged").
- Habitat: Open country, grasslands, agricultural fields, and marshes. Often seen perched on low posts or hovering.
- Flight: Known for its distinctive hovering flight, often facing into the wind.
- Difference: Its dark belly patch, white tail base with a dark band, dark carpal patches, and tendency to hover distinguish it from other wintering Buteos.
8. Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) – The Low-Flying Hunter
A unique hawk with an owl-like facial disk, the Northern Harrier is a graceful hunter of open grasslands and marshes, present in Pennsylvania year-round, though more common in winter.
- Identification: Long wings held in a distinct "V" shape (dihedral) in flight, long tail. Males are pale gray above with white underparts and black wingtips. Females and juveniles are streaky brown with a buffy wash. All harriers have a prominent white rump patch, visible in flight.
- Habitat: Open grasslands, marshes, coastal plains, and agricultural fields.
- Flight: Flies low over fields, actively searching for prey with a characteristic rocking motion.
- Difference: Its unique dihedral wing shape, low-to-the-ground hunting style, owl-like face, and prominent white rump patch make it unmistakable among Pennsylvania's hawks.
Where To Find Hawks In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers some truly exceptional locations for hawk watching, especially during migration, but also for spotting resident species year-round. Here are three of the best places to see the diverse hawks mentioned:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Kempton, PA)
Why it's great: Often called the "world's first refuge for birds of prey," Hawk Mountain is legendary. Located on the Kittatinny Ridge, a major raptor migration corridor, it offers unparalleled views of migrating hawks, particularly in the fall (August through November). Official counters are present, and the numbers can be astounding, with thousands of raptors passing on good days.
What you'll see: During migration, you can expect to see Red-tailed Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Northern Harriers in large numbers. You also have a very good chance of seeing Red-shouldered Hawks (especially during early fall migration), and in winter, some Rough-legged Hawks may pass through. While sightings are rarer, it's one of the few places where you might catch a glimpse of the elusive American Goshawk.
Best Time: Fall migration (late August to late November) is the absolute peak. Early to mid-September is prime for Broad-winged Hawks. Late October to November is best for Golden Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks.
Find out more here.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (Stevens, PA)
Why it's great: While famous for its massive concentrations of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans in winter, Middle Creek offers excellent hawk viewing throughout the year due to its mix of open fields, woodlands, and wetlands. It's particularly good for resident species and wintering raptors.
What you'll see: Red-tailed Hawks are abundant here year-round, often seen perched along roadsides or soaring over fields. You'll frequently spot Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks patrolling the edges of the woodlands. Northern Harriers are common, especially in the open grasslands and marshy areas, flying low with their characteristic dihedral wing shape. Red-shouldered Hawks can be found in the wooded sections, particularly near water. In winter, Rough-legged Hawks are often present.
Best Time: Year-round for residents. Winter is excellent for Rough-legged Hawks and high numbers of Northern Harriers. Migration periods can bring a wider variety.
Find out more here.
Presque Isle State Park (Erie, PA)
Why it's great: As a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, Presque Isle acts as a natural funnel for migrating birds, making it a hotspot for both spring and fall movements. Its diverse habitats, from beaches and dunes to marshes and mature forests, attract a wide variety of raptors.
What you'll see: You'll regularly encounter Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Northern Harriers are common in the marshy areas, and Broad-winged Hawks can be seen during peak migration. In winter, Rough-legged Hawks are possible. Due to its location on Lake Erie, you might also see Bald Eagles and Ospreys fishing.
Best Time: Spring migration (late March to May) and Fall migration (September to November) are prime. However, resident hawks are present all year.
Find out more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are hawks afraid of owls?
It's less about "fear" in the human sense and more about a calculated strategy for survival and territorial defense. Hawks are wary of owls primarily because owls are significant predators of hawks, especially their young, and also competitors for resources.
Nocturnal Predators
The most crucial factor is that large owls, particularly the Great Horned Owl, are formidable nocturnal predators. While hawks are active during the day, owls hunt at night. This means a hawk is vulnerable to an owl attack while it's sleeping or roosting, making its nestlings and fledglings especially at risk. Owls have silent flight, exceptional night vision, and powerful talons, giving them a distinct advantage in the dark. Great Horned Owls are known to prey on other raptors, including Red-tailed Hawks, Ospreys, and even other owls.
Competition for Nest Sites
Hawks and owls often share similar habitats and may even use the same types of nesting sites (such as old tree nests or cavities). This leads to direct competition, and both species are known to attack each other's nests, destroy eggs, or kill young to secure a prime nesting location. An owl might take over a hawk's nest, or vice versa, creating intense territorial disputes.
Direct Predation
While adult hawks are powerful birds, a large owl can be a serious threat. Owls are incredibly strong and fearless when it comes to defending their territory or securing prey. While a hawk might fight back, an owl's ambush tactics and strength in the dark can be deadly,
In essence, hawks view owls as a serious threat due to their predatory capabilities, particularly under the cover of darkness, and as direct competitors for vital resources like nesting sites. This leads to a complex relationship of avoidance, defense, and occasional direct conflict between these two powerful raptor groups.
Which bird is more dominant -- the eagle or the hawk?
Eagles are generally more dominant than hawks primarily due to their larger size and greater strength. Eagles typically have significantly larger wingspans, heavier builds, and more powerful talons, allowing them to hunt a wider variety of prey, including larger mammals and birds that most hawks cannot. While hawks are agile hunters, eagles often prey on smaller raptors, including young hawks.
Why is it against the law to possess a hawk feather?
As per the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, collecting some bird feathers, even those belonging to predatory birds, is unlawful because of a significant decline in their population. The almost century-old act safeguards migrating birds between the United States and Canada. Hunting was highly prevalent in the period since hats decorated with bird feathers were fashionable.
Hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or selling migrating raptors is prohibited under the treaty. The law applies to all parts of birds, including feathers, eggs, and nests.
Wrapping Up
Understanding the subtle nuances in size, shape, plumage, and behavior is key to unlocking the identity of Pennsylvania's diverse hawk population. Whether you're watching a Red-tail soar overhead or hoping for a glimpse of an elusive Goshawk, the thrill of observing these powerful predators is a highlight of birding in the Keystone State.
