There are different types of hawks in Massachusetts. They include Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Rough-legged Hawks.
All of these types of hawks in Massachusetts have unique characteristics that allow them to thrive in the climate in this part of the US.
These types of hawks in Massachusetts are large predators that primarily feed on small mammals and birds.
They nest as high as possible to take advantage of the thermal updrafts for soaring and hunting for prey.
Watching these magnificent creatures is popular for many bird watchers across Massachusetts.
1. Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed hawks are first on our list of types of hawks in Massachusetts.
It is the most common type of hawk found in Massachusetts and can be seen throughout all seasons.
They have a wingspan of up to 4 feet and use their powerful eyes, sharp talons, and curved beaks to hunt for small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, carrion, and more.
Red-tailed Hawks are also incredibly intelligent, which enables them to form lifelong mateships with one another and reuse old nests multiple times over the years.
They travel in family groups but do not migrate together like other birds.
2. Sharp-shinned Hawk
The Sharp-shinned Hawk, the most commonly found species of hawk in Massachusetts, is also on our list of hawk types in Massachusetts.
These types of hawks in Massachusetts have long, thin wings and short tails, which give them excellent maneuverability when they hunt.
They can be easily identified by their reddish-brown upperparts, grayish-white bellies, and yellow eyes.
The Sharp-shinned Hawks’ primary diet comprises small birds, mice, and voles.
These hawks tend to live in the pine forests and thickets of Massachusetts, where they can find an abundance of their favored prey.
Sharp-shinned Hawks mate for life, building nests in tall trees near wooded areas for their chicks to hatch in.
Migration typically occurs during the early fall months for this particular species of hawk.
Many fly to Central America, where winter months are warmer, and conditions are optimal for hunting.
3. Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawks are one of Massachusetts’s most widely distributed types of hawks and can be found in every corner of the United States.
These beautiful birds have wingspans ranging from 40 to 50 inches and are typically seen on woodland edges, open areas, and riverside habitats.
Cooper’s Hawks excel in hunting songbirds, taking on swift surprise attacks to capture them mid-air.
With its sharp eyesight, large talons, and incredible flying skills, it prefers eating smaller animals like thrushes and starlings.
This type of hawk has an unmistakable pattern of grey upper parts with reddish barring below, a black cap, and a white “eyebrow.”
It is an incredibly powerful species that continues to fascinate naturalists worldwide.
4. Northern Goshawk
The Northern Goshawk is a hawk native to Massachusetts that belongs to the family Accipitridae.
Found in wooded areas, it typically hunts small animals and birds. It has a wingspan of up to 22 inches and can reach speeds of up to 40 mph when in pursuit of prey.
The head, back, and wings are gray, while the underside is white with black barring.
This species of hawk only nests once every two years, usually in trees instead of on cliffs like other raptors.
Their large size and impressive abilities require vast territories to hunt successfully; therefore, protecting their habitats is key to their continued survival.
4. Northern Harrier
Northern Harriers are also one of Massachusetts’s more common types of hawks.
Their most distinctive physical characteristic is a white facial stripe that distinguishes them from other raptors.
They have a diet composed mainly of small mammals, including birds and occasionally larger prey.
These raptors typically hunt using low, slow flights at dusk and dawn or while hovering above open fields before suddenly diving toward their targets.
Northern Harriers prefer habitats with grassy meadows, marshes, and areas with scattered trees or shrubs and can be seen across most of Massachusetts throughout the year.
6. Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawks are a species of hawks found in Massachusetts.
These large raptors are native to North America and are often found near open woodlands, wetland edges, and the edges of water bodies like rivers and lakes.
These types of hawks in Massachusetts migrate south in winter, typically from November through March.
They have been known to nest near human activity, potentially because they find benefit from the food resources humans create through agricultural activities.
Red-shouldered Hawks feed upon small mammals, snakes, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates such as insects.
7. Osprey
Ospreys, also known as sea hawks or fish hawks, are a fairly common sight in Massachusetts.
These large types of hawks in Massachusetts feed mainly on live frogs, fish, and aquatic invertebrates and can often be found fishing along the coast or in freshwater habitats.
Characterized by their distinct brown plumage with white underwings and a white head, they typically inhabit the tall trees surrounding coastal areas.
During late summer, around 70% of Ospreys from the northeast migrate to winter habitats such as the southern coasts of the United States, Central America, and northern South America.
8. Rough-legged Hawk
The Rough-legged Hawk is a type of hawk found in Massachusetts.
It is found all across the state but can sometimes be more common in the colder months when they migrate south from Canada and Alaska to reach the warmer regions of New England.
They have unusual plumage and hunt everything from insects to small mammals.
Their primary threats are habitat and human disturbance, causing them to struggle to find essential food sources.
This species of hawk is protected under Massachusetts law, making it illegal to hunt or disturb these birds during their migration.
Conservation measures such as providing important habitats for this species are key to ensuring their populations remain healthy in Massachusetts.
9. Broad-Winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawks are last on our list of types of hawks in Massachusetts. It is a type of hawk found throughout Massachusetts.
They feed primarily on small vertebrates such as birds, amphibians, and insects.
Their sounds include a loud call described as “kak-kak-kak-kak,” followed by various other sounds.
Their physical characteristics include dark brown eyes and bars or streaks on the underside of their wings.
Broad-winged Hawks can be seen throughout Massachusetts during all seasons. They usually soar high above fields and forests, searching for prey or seeking shelter from inclement weather.
This hawk species is widely common in the state, making it easy for birders to spot them in different habitats.