Have you heard of Arizona State? You won’t believe that, with its vast and varied landscapes, it is a haven for numerous hawk species.
From the desert expanses to the mountainous regions, this southwestern state provides a rich habitat for these magnificent types of hawks in Arizona.
Whether you find yourself in the Sonoran Desert, the Mogollon Rim pine forests, or the rivers’ riparian corridors, you will encounter a captivating array of Hawks.
The diversity of these different types of hawks in Arizona is truly remarkable.
These types of hawks in Arizona contribute to the intricate tapestry of wildlife.
So, get ready to explore Arizona’s breathtaking landscapes and witness the beauty and prowess of its diverse hawk species, which grace the skies above. You will also love it.
1. Red-tailed Hawks
During the winter months in Arizona, Red-tailed Hawks, the first on our list of hawk types in Arizona, are frequently observed and account for approximately 27% of checklists submitted by bird watchers in the state.
As the seasons transition to summer, their presence slightly decreases to around 13% of checklists.
Red-tailed Hawks are aptly named due to their short and wide red tails. They are notably large birds with broad and rounded wings.
Regarding coloration, most Red-tailed Hawks display a brown hue on their back while appearing pale underneath.
These types of hawks in Arizona are highly noticeable, especially during long car journeys, as they engage in slow circling movements over open fields in search of prey, typically including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Additionally, they can easily be spot perched on telephone poles, which increases their visibility and accessibility for observation.
2. Cooper’s Hawks
Cooper’s hawk is also a type of hawk in Arizona. During the winter season, Cooper’s Hawks are listed in approximately 12% of bird watchers’ checklists.
As the summer arrives, their presence decreases slightly to around 8% of checklists.
The Cooper’s Hawk resembles the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but it is noticeably larger, reaching about the size of a crow.
Distinguishing between the two species can be challenging, as they share similar features, such as a blue-gray back, red-orange breast, and dark tail bands.
To be honest, one key distinguishing characteristic of the Cooper’s Hawk is its larger head, which extends noticeably beyond its wings—an attribute that sets it apart from the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
While many Cooper’s Hawks remain resident throughout most of the United States, some individuals from the northern part of their range, including Canada, undertake migratory journeys southward during winter, reaching as far as Mexico and Honduras.
Look for Cooper’s Hawks on the outskirts of forests and near feeders, where they seek out easy meals.
These types of hawks in Arizona primarily prey on medium-sized birds and small mammals.
They construct their nests in tall trees, often utilizing the abandoned nests of larger birds or clumps of mistletoe.
Their nests typically contain 2-6 pale blue to bluish-white eggs.
3. Northern Harriers
During winter, you can spot Northern Harriers in Arizona before they embark on their northward migration for the breeding season.
They are recorded in approximately 10% of checklists submitted during winter and arrive in the state between August and October.
As spring approaches, they begin their departure, with sightings becoming less frequent from February to the end of April.
Northern Harriers possess a slender body structure with long and broad wings, putting them between a crow and a goose in size.
When in flight, they often display a distinctive V-shape with the tips of their wings positioned higher than their bodies.
Regarding plumage, females exhibit brown coloration, while males feature a gray upper body, white underparts, and a noticeable white rump patch.
The breeding range of northern harriers includes regions such as Alaska, Canada, the northern Great Plains, and the Northeast.
Following their breeding period, they migrate south for winter, reaching southern states, Mexico, and Central America.
However, individuals in the middle of their range remain in the area throughout the year.
Watch for these slim, long-tailed hawks gracefully gliding low over grasslands or marshes.
And the best part is that Northern Harriers primarily feed on small mammals and birds.
They construct their nests on the ground, seeking out dense vegetation such as reeds, willows, or brush, where they lay 4-5 dull white eggs.
4. Gray Hawks
Gray hawks are also found in Arizona. When searching for gray hawks, be at rest.
Look for their light gray plumage, which features a uniform gray color on the upper parts and barred patterns on the chest and belly.
Their tails are elongated and adorned with three distinct white bands against a black background.
Compared to other hawks in their family, Gray Hawks are relatively smaller and possess short, broad wings.
These types of hawks in Arizona engage in migration and spend their summer breeding period in Central America, Mexico, Southern Texas, and Arizona.
To catch a glimpse of Gray Hawks, direct your attention towards cottonwood and willow woods, particularly those close to streams or rivers.
They can often be observed gracefully soaring above open areas or patiently perched on branches, awaiting the opportunity to catch lizards as their prey.
5. Sharp-shinned Hawks
During winter, you can spot Sharp-shinned Hawks in Arizona, particularly in the central part of the state near Flagstaff, Tonto National Forest, and Coconino National Forest.
They make up approximately 3% of checklists during this season, arriving in mid-August and departing between April and May.
Adult sharp-shinned hawks are small and display a blue-gray hue on their backs and red-orange breasts.
Their tails feature distinct dark bands. Females are approximately one-third larger than males and possess long, square-ended tails, short, rounded wings, and small heads.
While Sharp-shinned Hawks that breed in Canada and certain northern states migrate south, those residing in the Appalachians and Western Mountains may remain in the area throughout the year.
Although they are known for their secretive nature, these types of hawks in Arizona can be observed flying across open areas at the edges of forests.
They showcase remarkable agility and can swiftly navigate through dense woods to catch their prey mid-air, often targeting songbirds.
Occasionally, you may spot Sharp-shinned Hawks near feeders as they capture small birds.
However, if you encounter issues with them in your backyard, removing the feeder for a few weeks can help alleviate the problem.
These hawks typically pluck their prey on a stump or low branch before consuming it. Their preferred food consists of songbirds, approximately the size of a robin.
Nests of the Sharp-shinned Hawk are commonly found in conifer trees within the dense cover, typically towards the upper portions of tall trees.
These nests are relatively large, measuring 1-2 feet in diameter and 4-6 inches deep.
The hawks lay 3-8 eggs, which have a mottled appearance and range from white to pale blue.
6. Swainson’s Hawks
I want you to note this: When you’re in the air, you’ll notice a distinct contrast between the black flight feathers along the lower edges and tips of the wings and the white upper part of the wings, which are known as the linings.
Swainson’s Hawks inhabit open areas in the West and the Great Plains during the summer.
These types of hawks in Arizona form large flocks, numbering in the thousands, before migrating to South America for the winter.
They breed as far north as British Columbia and Alaska and in the Western regions from the Pacific to the Midwest.
The best times to witness these hawks in their migration are May and September.
They travel long distances and are renowned for putting on breathtaking displays with thousands of birds during the day.
When hunting for rodents, Swainson’s Hawks perch on elevated spots like utility poles or fences, making them more visible in the relatively flat lands where they search for prey.
Without high perches, they can also be found on the ground in grasslands and fields, hunting for insects.
You may notice Swainson’s Hawks occasionally feed on Burrowing Owls in areas where these owls are abundant.
However, they are not picky eaters and will consume a variety of prey, including snakes, lizards, bats, mice, rabbits, crickets, and dragonflies.
In the open country where they reside, there are limited options for nesting sites.
As a result, Swainson’s Hawks use any available trees near fields, low mesquite bushes, and power poles.
Their nests are substantial structures made of twigs and sticks, reaching widths of up to 2 feet and heights of about a foot.
The inner part of the nest is lined with softer materials like dung, bark, wool, and grass.
7. Zone-tailed Hawks
If you’re lucky, you might come across Zone-tailed Hawks, but only in a few states along the border during their breeding season.
During winter, they migrate even further south into Mexico. In South America, however, you can find them all year round.
These types of hawks in Arizona prefer to hunt in canyons and cliffs, often at higher elevations.
You may spot them gracefully soaring above desert and scrub habitats. They also venture down to coastal plains in search of prey.
Zone-tailed Hawks eat a diverse diet that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
They employ a hunting strategy of flying low, utilizing the landscape as cover until it’s too late for their unsuspecting prey.
8. Ferruginous Hawks
The largest hawks in North America are the Ferruginous Hawks. They possess sizable heads and long wings.
However, identifying them can be challenging due to the existence of both light and dark morphs, which exhibit significant variations in color patterns.
The more frequently observed light morph Ferruginous Hawks display a white underside on their wings, belly, and head.
Their backs and the upper portion of their wings exhibit a rusty brown hue, while their legs appear darker.
However, Immature light morphs tend to have more brown spotting on their belly and legs.
You may encounter Ferruginous Hawks in the open country of the West. They breed as far north as southern Canada and as far south as Nevada and Utah.
They typically move short distances to the Southern States and Mexico during winter, but some birds stay in the middle of their range throughout the year.
In the low country, Ferruginous Hawks are found in grasslands and shrublands.
They don’t cross the Rockies during migration. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, such as jackrabbits and cottontail rabbits in the West and ground squirrels and prairie dogs in the East, depending on availability.
The most important fact is that these types of hawks in Arizona are active hunters during the day.
They hunt while flying, perching, and even on the ground. Their nests are remarkably large, measuring about 3 feet high and 3 feet across. A single nest can hold up to 8 eggs.
9. Northern Goshawks
Northern Goshawks are the larger and more formidable relatives of the Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks.
They possess predominantly gray plumage with short, wide wings and a lengthy tail.
Their distinctive feature includes a white stripe above their yellow eyes.
These birds primarily inhabit Alaska, Canada, and the mountainous regions of the western United States.
During winter, some young Northern Goshawks may migrate to the Central States.
Due to their preference for large forests and their secretive nature, locating Northern Goshawks can be challenging.
Caution is advised, as they can exhibit aggression if their nests are approached too closely.
Northern Goshawks typically reside in expansive areas of predominantly coniferous or mixed forests.
They patiently scan their surroundings from elevated perches for prey, mainly medium-sized birds and small mammals.
For nesting purposes, Northern Goshawks construct up to eight nests and lay bluish-white eggs, typically numbering between 2 and 4.
10. Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks are identified by their unique markings, which include checkered wings with dark and white patterns, reddish barring on the breast, and a strongly banded tail.
They are medium-sized birds, between the size of a crow and a swan. Their vocalizations are loud cack-cack-cack-cack calls.
While Red-shouldered Hawks are typically found as residents in eastern states, those in the Northeast region may migrate farther south during winter.
Additionally, they are also permanent residents on the West Coast.
These hawks prefer to inhabit areas near wet forests and can often be observed hunting along streams or ponds.
Their diet mainly consists of mammals, frogs, snakes, and similar prey. Regarding nesting, Red-shouldered Hawks often reuse their nests each year.
These nests are typically found in broad-leaved trees located near bodies of water. The hawks lay clutches of 2-5 eggs, either white or bluish.
11. White-tailed Hawks
White-tailed Hawks possess distinct characteristics, including dark coloring on their backs, red shoulders, and a noticeable white underside.
Their tails also exhibit a striking pattern, white on the top and underneath, and a dark band encircling the edge.
During their immature stage, these hawks display speckles across their chest and belly.
Some individuals may have an all-dark appearance. In terms of size, females are larger than males.
You won’t believe White-tailed Hawks do not partake in migration and are predominantly found in South America, occasionally reaching as far as Texas.
Their preferred hunting grounds consist of grasslands and savannahs.
You will also love them, as their diet primarily comprises rodents, rabbits, lizards, and other birds.
After fires, White-tailed Hawks are particularly noticeable as they take advantage of the fleeing animals, allowing for a quick and convenient meal.
