HAWK-The Fierce Hunter Birds -erakina

About Hawk:

A hawk is a class of medium-sized birds of prey found throughout the world. There are many different species of both “true hawks,” in the accipiter genus, and birds in other genera also called hawks. Hawks hunt small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects.

North America is home to a diverse array of wildlife. There are a wide variety of climates and climate zones making it habitable for many different types of animals. There are forested mountains, sweeping expanses of plains, arid deserts, and even some tropical rainforests.

This makes the continent hospitable to a wide variety of animals. But in this article, we’ll be taking a look at all of the types of hawks in North America.

As you’ll soon find out, many species of hawks call the U.S. and the rest of North America home for at least part of the year. Some hawks live there year-round. Others use it only as nesting grounds, or a winter home.

Regardless of when and where each species is found, they all make an appearance at some point during the year.

Bird found near rajasthan desert

Hawk are a group of medium-diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae.

Hawks are widely distributed and vary greatly in size. The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks and others. This subfamily are mainly woodland birds with long tails and high visual acuity. 

hawk, any of various small to medium-sized falconiform birds, particularly those in the genus Accipiter, known as the true hawks, and including the goshawks and sparrowhawks.

The term hawk is often applied to other birds in the family Accipitridae (such as the kites, buzzards, and harriers) and sometimes is extended to include certain members of the family Falconidae (falcons and caracara).

Hawks occur on the six major continents. Most species nest in trees, but some, such as the marsh hawk, nest on the ground in grassy places, and others nest on cliffs. They lay from three to six brown-spotted eggs.

Hawks belong to the family Accipitridae, and they are medium-sized diurnal birds of prey. These birds are characterized by their sharp beaks, strong talons, and excellent eyesight. They are skilled hunters, preying on a variety of small animals and birds.

Hawks are found all around the world and play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance by controlling populations of rodents and other small animals.

They are admired for their grace in flight and their keen hunting abilities, making them fascinating subjects of study and observation for bird enthusiasts and ornithologists alike.

Species of Hawk

The 10 types of hawks found in North America are the northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, northern goshawk, common black hawk, great black hawk, crane hawk, gray hawk, roadside hawk, red-shouldered hawk, short-tailed hawk, white-tailed hawk, harris’s hawk, swainson’s hawk, broad-winged hawk, zone-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, and the ferruginous hawk.

Broad-winged Hawk

 bird flying high in sky.; Description: a picture of broad winged hawk.

The broad-winged hawk is usually 13 – 18 inches in size, with a wing span of almost 40 inches, and their tails have evenly spaced black and white stripes. The females are slightly larger than the males. 

The distinctive feature of this species is that they have tapered wings, which are broad and short. Their undersides, meaning their belly and the underside of their wings, are pale in color with distinctive copper color bands.

The Broad-winged hawk is found throughout the eastern half of the United States and much of Canada in the breeding season. They migrate south each year to South and Central America. Their migratory path may take broad-winged hawks across the very northeastern corner of the state.

Migrating broad-winged hawks eventually concentrate into large groups made up of multiple flocks, or kettles. This mass of hawks is a huge attraction for hawk watchers, who gather to watch what they call “the river of raptors.” During migration, the hawks will travel nearly 70 miles per day.

Cooper’s Hawk

bird sitting on a branch; Description:hawk species which live in cold regions

The male is around 14 –18 inches in size, while the female is 16 –20 inches. The eastern hawks are bigger than the western hawks, and while juveniles have yellow eyes, adults have red.

Their upper sides are dark brown as compared to their pale underparts, and their bellies have black stripes. The tails of the adults are bluish gray with black bands, while the young ones have brown tails with dark bands. 

Many cooper’s hawks are non-migratory and live throughout much of the United States all year. Though some prefer to spend their winters in Mexico and breed in southern Canada.

The trees and food available within the more populated areas often make suburbs and cities more appealing to these usually shy hawks.

The cooper’s hawk is very similar in color and appearance to the sharp-shinned hawk but is larger. The majority of their diet is made up of other birds, and they have a habit of setting up residence near areas with backyard bird feeders.

Northern Harrier

They are 17 – 22 inches in size, and have a wingspan of 38 – 47 inches. The upper sides of adult males are gray, and so is their breast, while their rump is white.

As for the females, they are brown on top, with streaked and light brown undersides and have upper tail converts which are white. The wings are almost gray, except for the tips which are black. 

         Commonly known as Marsh Hawk, this bird was first classified in the order Falconiformes, but has now been put into the order Accipitriformes. Northern Harriers prefer open areas as their habitat.

They nest on the ground. They tend to make a lot of noise when they are above their hunting grounds, and hunt using the element of surprise. Their prey is usually small birds and animals. They have become rare, due to illegal persecution and hunting.

Northern harriers are widespread throughout North America. Their breeding populations are in the Northernmost parts of North America, extending through Canada and into Alaska. During the winter they migrate south, with many of them establishing themselves in U.S. southern states, Mexico, and Central America.

Northern Harriers hunt while flying, sweeping across open fields to spot prey. The main portion of the Northern Harrier’s diet is made up of small mammals and birds. They have also been seen going after larger prey. After capturing a larger animal, the Harrier will often kill it by drowning.

 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

Most sharp-shinned hawks migrate to parts of northern United States and Canada to breed each year, then spend their winters in most of the lower 48 states, Mexico, and Central America. Though there are scattered populations of year-round sharp-shinned hawks in both the U.S. and Mexico.

The sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in the United States and Canada. Sharp-shinned hawks have nimble feet, which they use to grasp and pierce the flesh of prey. They are so good with their feet they have even been witnessed using their toes to maneuver prey out of traps.

RED-TAILED HAWK

Red-tailed hawks are very common in most U.S. states and much of Mexico, and in Canada during the breeding season. They are also regularly seen on telephone poles and are one of the most common types of hawks in North America.

They make their homes in habitats of all types, from the desert and fields to parks. Provided it is open land, the red-tailed hawk is comfortable in most places.

The red-tailed hawk has a very distinctive scream. It is so recognizable it is used in movies as the standard sound of any bird of prey.

They are one of the largest raptors in North America, and can often be seen riding thermal updrafts.

NORTHERN GOSHAWK

Northern goshawks have a range that extends from Tennessee to California to Alaska and everything in between, including most of Canada. They can be found in some areas of Mexico, though they aren’t as common. They build their nests in ponderosa pines and aspens. The nesting places can often be found by bones and feathers left under the trees where they perch to pluck their prey.

Northern goshawks are extremely territorial.  In areas where northern goshawks are present, they have been known to attack anyone who they see as a danger to their nest. Since they are one of the largest species of hawks, an attack by one could be dangerous.

 COMMON BLACK HAWK

The common black hawk is a summer resident of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas for breeding season only. Common black hawks spend their winters in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.They stay near water sources and build their nests in trees near the water’s edge.

The common black hawk typically enjoys meals of crab and other small aquatic animals while in it’s permanent range, which includes large portions of coastal area. During their breeding season in New Mexico, they include amphibians, fish, and frogs since their territory is inland.

HARRIS’S HAWK

Harris’s hawks have populations in small pockets of Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. They’re much more common in Mexico and Baja. Their preferred habitat is desert lowland and mesquite brushland. They have also begun to become more common in urban and suburban areas because of easier access to food and water.

Instead of being solitary hunters, harris’s hawk hunts in groups. They usually hunt in groups of at least two, ranging up to seven. Groups with more than two hawks have a better chance of survival than individuals. Harris’s hawks have even been known to bring food to injured individuals who were part of their group.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK

The Broad-winged hawk is found throughout the eastern half of the United States and much of Canada in the breeding season. They migrate south each year to South and Central America. Their migratory path may take broad-winged hawks across the very northeastern corner of the state.

Migrating broad-winged hawks eventually concentrate into large groups made up of multiple flocks, or kettles. This mass of hawks is a huge attraction for hawk watchers, who gather to watch what they call “the river of raptors.” During migration, the hawks will travel nearly 70 miles per day.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK

Zone-tailed hawks have a breeding population in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and a much of Central Mexico. They migrate south into Central America for the winter. They can be seen around mesas, waterways, and foothills, though they can be mistaken for turkey vultures due to their coloring and way of flying.

Zone-tailed Hawks may have developed these characteristics to disguise themselves from potential prey.

Zone-tailed hawks have started appearing very far north of their typical range. The number of hawks being spotted suggests that these sightings are the result of zone-tailed Hawks expanding their range.

This is a positive sign since the Zone-tailed hawk population is threatened. The breeding population in the United States is down to 2,000 hawks.

FUN FACTS ABOUT HAWK

• Hawks mate for life. The male does tricks in the air to impress a female. These showcases can last over 10 minutes.
• Hawks build large nests out of sticks. The nests can be 3 feet wide. Hawks place their nests atop a tall tree, a cliff or even a cactus.
• As mentioned already a hawks eyesight is excellent, their hearing is also excellent but a hawks sense of smell is not so good.
• Hawks can dive at speeds in access of 150 mph – yikes that’s fast.
• Female hawks are generally larger than their male counterparts.
• Hawks can hunt in the air also for other birds.
• There are over 200 species of hawks worldwide. The largest hawk in North America is the Ferruginous Hawk.
• A hawk can see colors.
• A hawk can live up to 20 years, although 13 to 15 years is about the norm.
• The large rough legged hawk has a wingspan up to 1.4 m (4.5 ft).
• Hunters in Great Britain hunted buzzards for many years.

Amaze-Wing Facts About The Hawk

1. What do they prey on?

Snakes, mice, rabbit, fish

1. What do they eat?

Carnivore

1. Average litter size?

1-5 eggs

1. How much do they weigh?

0.3-3.1 lb (0.2-1.1 kg )

1. How long are they?

12-24 in (30-60 cm)

1. What do they look like?

Brownish, red brownish

1. Skin Type

             Feathers

1. What are their main threats?

             Loss Of Habitat, Fragmentation

1. What is their conservation status?

Least Concern

1. Class
   • Aves
2. Scientific Name
   • Accipitridae
3. Genus
   • Accipitridae
4. Family
   • Accipitridae

Habitat

Hawks, belonging to the family Accipitridae, are a diverse group of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey that exhibit remarkable adaptability in their choice of habitats. These birds can be found in a variety of environments, each species adapting to specific ecological niches.

One common habitat for hawks is woodlands and forests, where the availability of small mammals and birds provides a suitable food source. In these wooded areas, hawks find both nesting sites and cover for their hunting activities.

Additionally, open habitats such as grasslands and agricultural fields are favored by species like the Northern Harrier, utilizing the clear line of sight to hunt rodents and small birds efficiently.

Wetlands and marshes also host certain hawk species, including the Snail Kite, which preys on amphibians and aquatic insects found in these water-rich environments. Remarkably, some hawk species have successfully adapted to urban areas, capitalizing on the abundance of prey like rodents and pigeons in cities and towns. Coastal regions are home to hawks such as the Osprey, which primarily feeds on fish. These birds build their nests near water bodies, taking advantage of the proximity to their food source.

Did you know…

Hawks are diurnal birds. The word diurnal means ‘active in the daytime’, which means these predatory birds go hunting during the daytime.

Hawks, as a diverse group of birds of prey, exhibit remarkable adaptability, showcasing their ability to thrive in a wide array of environments across the globe. Armed with sharp talons, powerful beaks, and exceptional eyesight, hawks are formidable predators, employing various hunting techniques such as soaring, hovering, and high-speed dives to capture their prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and insects.

These solitary creatures establish territories and are known for their impressive aerial prowess. Hawks meticulously build their nests in elevated locations, demonstrating their dedication to raising their young.

Beyond their biological significance, hawks hold a special place in human culture, symbolizing qualities like vision, power, and freedom.

However, some hawk species face conservation challenges due to habitat loss and human activities, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts to protect these magnificent birds and preserve their natural habitats.

 –TEJASRI

Content Writer (Erakina by RTMN)

14.11.2021