Hawks in Texas command attention and inspire awe among birdwatchers across the state. With their impressive hunting and keen eyesight, these magnificent birds of prey dominate the Texas skies.
Whether exploring the vast plains, hiking through the rugged canyons, or observing from the comfort of your backyard, the chance of encountering a hawk in Texas is always present.
Common Hawks in Texas
The most common hawks in Texas include the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, and Swainson’s Hawk.
This article will cover Texas’s seventeen hawks, from the iconic Red-tailed Hawk to the rarely-seen Roadside Hawk and White-tailed Hawk.
With helpful tips and insights for identifying these birds and understanding their unique appearance, behaviors, and habitat, this post will be a valuable resource for both seasoned birdwatchers and enthusiastic beginners.
We have organized our list from most likely seen to the least likely to be seen for your convenience.
Texas Hawks
According to the latest data from ebird, there are seventeen observed species of Hawks in Texas. This data has been collected from over 60,000 dedicated bird watchers throughout the state.
Here are some quick facts:
- The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly observed hawk in Texas
- Short-tailed Hawks are the least widely observed species in Texas
- Ferruginous Hawks are the largest in Texas
- Sharp-shinned Hawks are the smallest in Texas
17 Types Of Hawks In Texas
1. Red-Tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey native to North America. They are one of North America’s most iconic and identifiable hawks and are year-round residents of Texas.
- Length: 45-65cm (17.7-25.6inches)
- Weight: 690-1460g (24.3-51.5oz)
- Wingspan: 114-133cm (44.9-52.4inches)
- Red-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
Appearance
Red-tailed Hawks are large birds with a wingspan of up to four feet. They are brown above and pale below with a streaked belly. As their name suggests, their most distinctive feature is their red tail, which you can often see as they soar through the skies.
Habitat
Red-tailed Hawks are common throughout North America, from as far north as Alaska to as far south as Panama. They prefer to live in open areas like fields, prairies, and deserts, but you will also see them in wooded areas.
They are highly adaptable and can also live and hunt in urban and suburban areas. Look for them perched on high trees and telephone poles at the edge of fields.
Diet
Red-tailed Hawks are predatory birds that feed on a variety of prey. They hunt during the day, using their keen eyesight to spot their food from high in the sky. They eat small mammals like mice, rabbits, squirrels, birds, snakes, and other reptiles.
Nesting
Red-tailed Hawks build their nests high above the ground, usually near open areas where they can hunt. These can be tall trees, billboards, towers, and buildings.
They use sticks and twigs to build a large platform, which they line with soft materials like grass and leaves. They typically lay 2-3 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Red-tailed Hawks are known for their distinctive call, often heard in movies and TV shows.
- These birds can fly at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour!
- Red-tailed Hawks are famous in falconry, a sport that involves training birds of prey to hunt.
- In some Native American cultures, the Red-tailed Hawk is considered a symbol of strength and courage.
2. Red-shouldered Hawk
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized raptor native to North America and can be seen in the eastern half of Texas all year round.
They are named for the distinctive reddish-brown feathers on their shoulders.
- Length: 43-61cm (16.9-24 inches)
- Weight: 486-774g (17.1-27oz)
- Wingspan: 94-110cm (37-44 inches)
- Red-shouldered Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus
Appearance
Red-shouldered Hawks have medium-length tails and broad rounded wings.They have a dark and white checkered back and wings, with a reddish-brown chest and belly.
As their name suggests, they also have reddish-brown feathers on their shoulders, which are easily noticeable in flight.
Habitat
You can spot a Red-shouldered Hawk in wooded areas, often near water sources such as rivers or swamps. They are less common in open areas than Red-tailed Hawks.
They are found throughout the eastern and far western parts of the United States and into Mexico.
Diet
Red-shouldered Hawks are predatory birds that feed on a variety of prey. They hunt during the day, using their sharp eyesight to spot prey from a perch high in the trees.
They eat snakes, lizards, frogs, and small mammals, such as mice, voles, and squirrels.
Nesting
Red-shouldered Hawks build their nests in notches in tall trees, usually near water sources. They use sticks and twigs to create a platform, which they line with soft materials like moss and lichen.
They typically lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Red-shouldered Hawks have a distinctive call that sounds like “kee-yer” or “kee-aah.”
- These birds have a unique hunting style where they swoop down from a perch to catch prey.
- Red-shouldered Hawks are sometimes confused with Cooper’s Hawks or Sharp-shinned Hawks, which have similar coloration and hunting styles.
- These birds are monogamous and may mate for life.
3. Osprey
Ospreys are giant hawks that can be seen on almost every continent. They can be seen in southeastern Texas during the colder non-breeding months and in the rest of Texas during their spring and fall migration.
They are also called fish or sea hawks and feed exclusively on fish.
- Length: 54-58cm (21-23 inches)
- Weight: 1400-2000g (49.4-70oz)
- Wingspan: 150-180cm (59-71 inches)
- Osprey Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
Appearance
Ospreys are large birds with a wingspan of up to 6 feet. They have dark brown feathers on their back and wings, with a white chest and belly. Their heads are white with a distinctive dark eye stripe. They also have long legs with sharp, curved talons for catching fish.
Habitat
You can find Ospreys near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and coastlines. They are located on every continent except Antarctica, but you can more easily see them in North America and Europe.
Diet
Ospreys are predatory birds that feed almost exclusively on fish. They hunt during the day, using their keen eyesight to spot fish in the water from high in the sky.
You can see them hovering high above the water to spot their catch. Once they spot a fish, they dive into the water feet first to catch it. They are also known for their ability to shake off excess water before flying away with their catch.
Nesting
Ospreys build large nests of sticks and twigs, usually in tall trees or artificial structures such as poles or platforms. They may use the same nest year after year, adding to it each time.
They typically lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Ospreys are the only raptors that exclusively eat fish.
- These birds have a reversible outer toe that helps them grip their slippery prey more effectively.
- Once they have caught a fish, they maneuver the fish’s head forward to reduce wind resistance.
- Ospreys are known for their spectacular fishing dives, reaching up to 80 miles per hour.
- These birds can migrate up to 160,000 miles in their lifetime, traveling between their breeding and wintering grounds.
4. Northern Harrier
The Northern Harrier is a medium-sized bird of prey that people can see throughout North and Central America. They can be seen in Texas during the colder winter season.
They are also commonly known as Marsh Hawks for their specific hunting behavior.
- Length: 46-50cm (18.1-19.8 inches)
- Weight: 300-750g (10.5-26.5oz)
- Wingspan: 102-118cm (40-46.5 inches)
- Northern Harrier Scientific Name: Circus cyaneus
Appearance
Northern Harriers are medium-sized hawks with a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They have long, broad wings and a long, rounded tail. They have tiny, hooked beaks, and their face is “owl-like.”
Males have a gray back, gray wings with black wingtips, black horizontal bands on their tales, and white underparts.
Females are brown on their back and wings, with a white underside streaked with brown. Juveniles appear similar to adult females.
Males and females also have a distinctive white rump patch visible when flying.
Habitat
You can spot a Northern Harrier in various open habitats, such as marshes, grasslands, and agricultural fields.
Diet
Northern Harriers are predatory birds that feed on various marsh-living prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They may even feed on ducks and rabbits if given a chance.
They hunt by flying low over the ground, using their keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey.
They are also known for their ability to hover in place while scanning for prey.
Nesting
Northern Harriers build their nests on the ground, typically in dense marsh vegetation such as reeds and tall grass. They may use sticks, grasses, and other plant materials to create a platform.
They typically lay 4-5 eggs, which hatch after about a month. The female takes primary responsibility for incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Interesting facts
- Northern Harriers are among the few bird species exhibiting sexual dimorphism in which Males are smaller than females.
- They can also be polygynous, with a single male mating with two or more females in a breeding season.
- These birds are known for their distinctive hunting behavior, which involves flying low over the ground and using their hearing to locate prey.
- These birds have been known to mob potential predators, such as eagles or owls, to protect their nests and young.
5. Cooper’s Hawk
The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk that people can see throughout North America and are year-round residents of Texas.
They are named after William Cooper, an American naturalist who helped describe the species in the 19th century.
- Length: 37-45cm (14.5-17.8 inches)
- Weight: 220-680g (7.8-24oz)
- Wingspan: 62-90cm (24.5-35.5 inches)
- Cooper’s Hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii
Appearance
Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized birds with a wingspan of up to 3 feet. They are blue-gray above, with a rusty-colored chest and belly. They also have distinctive dark caps on their head and dark horizontal bars on their tails.
Juveniles have brown wings and back with streaked underparts. They appear similar to Sharp-shinned hawks but are noticeably larger, and males are smaller than females.
They have broad rounded wings, long tails, sharp, curved talons, and a hooked beak for catching and eating their prey.
Habitat
You can spot a Cooper’s Hawk in various wooded habitats, from suburban parks to mature forests. They can be found throughout North America, from southern Canada to Mexico.
Diet
Cooper’s Hawks are predatory birds that feed on various prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
They hunt during the day, using their keen eyesight and agility to pursue their prey through the trees. They are known for their fast, acrobatic flights through the forest.
They are expert ambushers and patrol areas with backyard bird feeders to swoop down and grab unsuspecting birds.
We have witnessed a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk fly fast and low across our yard and then up and over our fence to attack some pigeons perched on the other side.
Nesting
Cooper’s Hawks build nests in tall trees, using sticks and twigs to create a platform. They may also use the nests of other birds, such as crows or squirrels.
They typically lay 3-5 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Cooper’s Hawks are one of the few bird species capable of eating other birds their own size.
- These birds are sometimes called “chicken hawks” due to their habit of preying on domestic chickens.
- Cooper’s Hawks are skilled fliers, capable of maneuvering through dense forests at high speeds.
- They were once hunted for their feathers, which were used in fashion accessories such as hats.
6. Harris’s Hawk
The Harris’s Hawk, also known as Bay-winged Hawks or Dusky Hawks, are large raptors you can see in the Americas. They are non-migratory year-round residents of southern Texas.
They are known for their social behavior, intelligence, and hunting skills.
- Length: 46-60cm (18-24 inches)
- Weight: 515-880g (18-31oz)
- Wingspan: 103-119cm (40-47 inches)
- Harris’s Hawk Scientific Name: Parabuteo unicinctus
Appearance
Harris’s Hawks are large hawks with up to 4 feet of wingspan. They have broad, rounded wings, long legs, and long tails.
They are dark brown overall with reddish-brown shoulder and leg feathers, a white rump, and a white terminal band at the end of their tails.
Habitat
You can spot Harris’s Hawks in various open dry habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and scrublands in some southwestern United States, Central America, and South America regions.
Diet
Harris’s Hawks are clever predators who eat various prey, including small to medium-sized mammals such as squirrels, rats, and rabbits.
They will also hunt medium-sized birds such as woodpeckers, quail, reptiles, and insects.
They are known for their cooperative hunting behavior, where a group of hawks will work together to capture prey.
If prey escapes one bird, it is very likely to be caught by another in the group. Captured prey is often shared among the group.
Nesting
Harris’s Hawks are known to nest in a group of two or three. Females can have up to two males in one nest.
They build their nest in small trees up to 25 feet from the ground using sticks, twigs, and grass to construct a platform-like structure.
They typically lay 2-4 eggs, incubated primarily by the females. Males mostly bring food, and females feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Harris’s Hawks are known for their social behavior and often hunt in groups, communicating with each other through various calls and body language.
- These birds are popular in falconry due to their intelligence and cooperative nature.
- Female Harris’ Hawks are significantly larger than males.
7. Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s Hawks are large hawks that people can see primarily in North and South America. They can be seen in the western half of Texas during the warmer breeding months in spring and summer.
They are known for their long migrations and impressive hunting abilities.
- Length: 48-53cm (19-21 inches)
- Weight: 680-1361g (24-48oz)
- Wingspan: 120-132cm (47.2-52 inches)
- Swainson’s Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo swainsoni
Appearance
Swainson’s Hawks are large birds with a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They are typical Buteo hawks with broad wings and short tails—however, their wings and body are somewhat slimmer than other buteo species.
Their coloration varies slightly, but adults are primarily brownish-gray above and white below, with a rusty-brown chest and distinctively white underwings contrasted against black flight feathers. Males have gray heads, and females have brown heads.
Habitat
You can spot a Swainson’s Hawk in various open habitats, including grasslands, deserts, and agricultural fields throughout North, Central, and South America.
They spend their summers breeding in North America and migrate down through central and South America to spend their winters in Argentina, stopping along the way in open fields to feed.
Diet
Swainson’s Hawks are predatory birds that feed primarily on large insects such as grasshoppers and dragonflies.
They will also feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles such as squirrels, mice, snakes, and lizards during the breeding season when they need to feed their young.
Nesting
Swainson’s Hawks build well-hidden nests in trees or shrubs, typically 15-30 feet off the ground, using sticks, twigs, and weeds to create a platform.
They typically lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Females mostly incubate the eggs, and both parents feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Swainson’s Hawks are known for their long migrations, which can take them from their breeding grounds in North America to Argentina in South America.
- These birds are sometimes called “grasshopper hawks” due to their diet of grasshoppers and other insects.
- Swainson’s Hawks are social birds, often gathering in large groups during migration.
- These birds are sometimes preyed upon by larger raptors, such as Golden Eagles or Great Horned Owls.
8. Sharp-shinned Hawk
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small species of Hawk that people can see throughout much of North America and are winter residents in Texas.
They are known for their agility and speed in flight and are skilled hunters of small birds and mammals.
- Length: 24-34cm (9.4-13.5 inches)
- Weight: 87-218g (3.1-7.7oz)
- Wingspan: 87-218cm (17-22 inches)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter striatus
Appearance
Sharp-shinned Hawks are small birds with a wingspan of up to 2 feet. They have long, squared-off narrow tails and short rounded wings.
Females are larger than males and look similar to Cooper’s Hawks but considerably smaller, just a bit larger than a Blue Jay.
They are bluish-gray above, with a dark barred tail and a rusty-colored chest and belly.
Habitat
You can spot a Sharp-shinned Hawk in various wooded habitats, from mature forests to suburban parks and backyards. They live in areas throughout North America, from Alaska to Central America.
Diet
They are predatory birds that feed primarily on small songbirds but will also eat small rodents, lizards, and large insects.
They are skilled hunters, using their agility and speed in flight to pursue and catch their prey. You can see them hunting in backyards that attract songbirds to bird feeders.
Nesting
Sharp-shinned Hawks build concealed nests in trees, using sticks and twigs to create a platform. They typically lay 4-5 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Females mostly incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- They are known for their speed and flight agility, allowing them to catch small birds and mammals easily.
- These birds are sometimes referred to as “sharpies” by bird enthusiasts.
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk is one of the few bird species that exhibit sexual size dimorphism, with females being larger than males.
- These birds are sometimes preyed upon by larger raptors, such as Cooper’s Hawks or American Goshawks.
9. White-tailed Hawk
The White-tailed Hawk is a majestic bird of prey found in parts of North and Central America. They can be seen in the southeastern coastal regions of Texas all year round.
- Length: 46-58cm (18-22.8 inches)
- Weight: 880-1235g (31-43.6oz)
- Wingspan: 128-132cm (50.4-51.6 inches)
- White-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo albicaudatus
Appearance
White-tailed Hawks are large birds of prey with very long, broad wings that narrow as they get closer to the body.
They have predominantly gray plumage on their head, back, and wings with rusty red shoulder patches.
They are white below and have a distinctive white tail with a narrow black band near the tip.
Habitat
The White-tailed Hawk prefers to inhabit open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, coastal prairies, and scrublands.
You can spot them in various coastal regions in southern Texas, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Diet
White-tailed Hawks are predatory birds that primarily feed on small mammals such as rats, rabbits, gophers, and mice. They have also been known to eat other birds, amphibians, crabs, and insects.
They look out for prey from perches or while soaring above and then dive down to catch prey.
Nesting
White-tailed Hawks typically build their nests in tall trees or on rocky ledges. They construct the nest using sticks, grass, weeds, and twigs.
The female lays 2-3 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents are believed to take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Interesting facts
- White-tailed Hawks are believed to be attracted to brush fires, where they make quick work catching fleeing prey.
- White-tailed Hawks are non-migratory and tend to stay within their preferred habitat throughout the year.
10. Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small raptor that people can see throughout much of North America. They can be seen in the eastern half of Texas during their migration and breeding months in spring, summer, and fall.
They are known for their distinctive migration behavior, forming large groups and traveling long distances together.
- Length: 34-44cm (13.4-17.5 inches)
- Weight: 265-560g (9.2-19.8oz)
- Wingspan: 81-100cm (32-39.5 inches)
- Broad-winged Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus
Appearance
Broad-winged Hawks are small-sized birds with a wingspan of up to 3 feet. They have large heads, short square tails, and broad wings.
They have a brown back and wings, with a white barred tail and a rusty-colored barred chest and belly. They also have a distinctive pale eyebrow stripe above their eye.
They sometimes are seen in a dark morph coloration. Dark morph Broad-winged hawks are dark all over with dark wing coverts and silvery flight feathers. Dark morphs also have a white band on a dark tail.
Habitat
You can spot a Broad-winged Hawk in various wooded habitats, from mature forests to suburban parks. They are located throughout eastern North America during the breeding season and in Central America and northern parts of South America during the non-breeding season.
Diet
Broad-winged Hawks are perch hunters that feed on various prey, including small mammals, birds, frogs, and reptiles such as snakes and lizards. They hunt during the day, using their keen eyesight and agility to pursue prey through the trees.
Nesting
Broad-winged Hawks build nests in trees, using sticks and twigs to create a platform. They typically lay 2-3 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Females primarily incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Broad-winged Hawks are known for their distinctive migration behavior, forming large groups called “kettles” and traveling long distances together. They are a common sight during their migration in the fall.
- These birds are sometimes called “whistling hawks” due to their high-pitched call.
- The Broad-winged Hawk is one of the few bird species that are monogamous and mate for life.
- These birds are sometimes preyed upon by larger birds of prey, such as eagles or owls.
11. Gray Hawk
The Gray Hawk is medium-sized hawk that people can see in parts of Central and South America and, in rare cases, southwestern Texas during the warmer breeding months in spring and summer.
They are known for their distinctive coloring and impressive hunting skills.
- Length: 46-61cm (18-24 inches)
- Weight: Avg 475g (17oz)
- Wingspan: 80-89cm (31.5-35 inches)
- Gray Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo plagiatus
Appearance
Gray Hawks are medium-sized birds with a wingspan of up to 3 feet. They are typical Buteo hawks with short, broad wings but have slightly longer tails than most Buteo species.
Adults are slate-gray with fine white barring on their breasts and belly and noticeable white and black banded tails.
Juveniles are dark brown with heavily streaked undersides. A dark streak separates their white cheeks and eyebrows through the eye.
Habitat
You can spot Gray Hawks in various habitats, including riparian areas, woodland edges, scrublands, and open savannahs, primarily in Central and South America and the small regions of the southwestern United States.
Diet
Gray Hawks are agile predatory birds that primarily feed on birds and reptiles but will also eat small mammals such as mice, ground squirrels, small rabbits, and large insects.
Nesting
Gray Hawks build well-hidden nests in tall trees, often 40-60 feet above the ground, using sticks, twigs, and leaves to create a platform.
They typically lay 2-3 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Females primarily incubate the eggs, and both parents provide food for the young.
Interesting facts
- Gray Hawks are known for their distinctive coloring and are sometimes called “Mexican Goshawks” due to their range in Mexico.
12. Zone-tailed Hawk
The Zone-tailed Hawk is a large raptor found in the Americas and are residents of southwestern Texas during the spring and summer.
They are known for their resemblance to vultures and for their hunting habits, which involve mimicking the behavior of vultures.
- Length: 45-56cm (17.5-22 inches)
- Weight: 607-667g (21.5-23.5oz)
- Wingspan: 120-140cm (47-55 inches)
- Zone-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo albonotatus
Appearance
Zone-tailed Hawks are slim-looking raptors with a blackish-brown body and wings, barred flight feathers, and white bands near the tip of the tail.
They have a wingspan of up to 5 feet and resemble vultures, which helps them blend in with these scavengers and approach prey undetected.
Habitat
You can spot a Zone-tailed hawk in various hilly habitats, including forests, river woodlands, desert mountains, and grassland in the southwestern United States, Central America, and South America.
They are also known to follow migratory bird flocks in search of prey.
Diet
Zone-tailed Hawks feed primarily on small mammals, reptiles, and birds, which they catch in flight or on the ground. They are known for their hunting behavior, which involves soaring high in the sky like vultures and suddenly diving down to catch unsuspecting prey.
This technique allows them to go almost unnoticed by their prey below.
Nesting
Zone-tailed Hawks build their nests in tall trees up to 100 feet off the ground, using sticks and leafy twigs to construct a platform-like structure.
They typically lay 1-3 eggs, which the female incubates for about a month. Males bring food for the females, and the females feed their chicks.
Interesting facts
- The Zone-tailed Hawk is known for their mimicry of vultures, which helps them to approach prey undetected.
- These birds are sometimes mistaken for vultures due to their similar appearance, but they are birds of prey.
13. Ferruginous Hawk
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest buteo hawk found in North America. They are known for their size, impressive wingspan, and striking appearance.
They can be seen soaring the skies of Texas during the colder winter months.
- Length: 56-69cm (22-27 inches)
- Weight: 970-2070g (35-73oz)
- Wingspan: 133-142cm (52-56 inches)
- Ferruginous Hawk Scientific Name: Buteogallus regalis
Appearance
Ferruginous Hawks are large hawks with a wingspan of up to 5 feet. They have distinctively large heads, large bills, and feathery legs that extend to their toes.
They have a distinctive rusty-red coloring on their backs and legs, a pale head, and a white underside.
Habitat
The Ferruginous Hawk prefers open grasslands, prairies, agricultural land, sagebrush-steppe, and desert habitats in western North America, from Canada to Mexico.
Diet
Ferruginous Hawks feed primarily on small mammals, such as ground squirrels, rabbits, and prairie dogs. They also eat birds, reptiles, and insects.
They hunt by soaring high in the sky and then swooping down to catch their prey with their talons. They are also known to wait near burrows on the ground for their prey to emerge.
Nesting
Ferruginous Hawks build their nests on rocky ledges, cliffs, or trees up to 50 feet off the ground, using sticks and other debris, such as cow dung, to construct a platform-like structure.
They typically lay 2-4 eggs, which both parents incubate for about a month. Males will bring food to the nest, and females will feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Ferruginous Hawks are known for their impressive size and striking rusty-red coloring on their backs.
- Ferruginous Hawks have used bison bones and bison dung to construct their nests.
- They are one of the few raptor species that reuse their nests year after year.
14. Common Black Hawk
Common Black Hawks are large birds of prey found in the southwestern United States and Central and South America. Their year-round range is primarily in Central America but may extend into southern Texas.
They are known for their striking appearance and their preference for riparian habitats.
- Length: 43-56cm (17-22 inches)
- Weight: 790-1200g (27.8-42oz)
- Wingspan: 117-127cm (46-50 inches)
- Common Black Hawk Scientific Name: Buteogallus anthracinus
Appearance
Common Black Hawks are typical Buteos with broad wings, tails, long legs, and large talons.
Adults have blackish-brown bodies and yellowy-orange legs; some have a white patch below the eyes. Their tails have a broad white band and a narrow white tail tip.
Juvenile birds are brown overall with heavily streaked underparts. Their tails have many light and dark bands.
Habitat
Common Black Hawks prefer riparian habitats in the southwestern United States and Central and South America, such as rivers, streams, swamps, marshes, and flooded woodlands.
Diet
Common Black Hawks feed primarily on small creatures commonly found near water, such as frogs, fish, and lizards but will also eat small birds, rodents, and snakes if the opportunity presents itself.
They hunt by watching from a low perch and then swooping down to catch their prey with their talons.
Nesting
Common Black Hawks build their nests roughly 90 feet above ground in trees near water, using sticks and green leaves to construct a platform-like structure.
They typically lay 1-2 eggs, which both parents incubate for about a month. Males will hunt and bring food, and females feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- These birds are primarily fish-eaters and can live primarily near rivers, streams, and lakeshores.
- Common Black Hawks are one of the few hawk species that build their nests in trees near water.
- Common Black Hawks are sometimes called “Mexican Black Hawks” because of their range in Central and South America.
15. Rough-legged Hawk
The Rough-legged Hawk is large bird of prey that can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are residents of Texas during the colder winter months.
They are known for their distinctive feathered legs, which help them stay warm in their cold northern habitats.
- Length: 47-52cm (18.5-20.5 inches)
- Weight: 715-1400g (25.1-49.5oz)
- Wingspan: 132-138cm (52-54 inches)
- Rough-legged Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo lagopus
Appearance
Rough-legged Hawks are large hawks with a wingspan of up to 5 feet. They have relatively long, broad wings and long tails. Their legs are covered in feathers, which helps them stay warm in their cold northern habitats.
They are dark brown above, with a lighter chest and belly. They also have a white tail with a black band near the end. Females have paler heads and dark bellies.
Light morphs have white or pale underwings with dark areas at the end of their shoulders. Dark morphs are primarily dark brown, with silvery white flight feathers and dark wingtips.
Habitat
You can spot a Rough-legged Hawk in various open habitats, including deserts, tundra, prairies, fields, and grasslands. They breed in northern Canada and spend their winters in the lower 48 states of the US.
Diet
Rough-legged Hawks are predatory birds that feed primarily on rodents such as voles and mice but will also eat other small mammals, birds, and insects. They hunt by hovering over fields, using their keen eyesight to scan for prey from high in the sky.
Nesting
Rough-legged Hawks primarily build nests on cliffs or sometimes even on the ground, using sticks and twigs to create a platform. They typically lay 3-5 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Females incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
Interesting facts
- Rough-legged Hawks are one of the few bird species that change the color of their feathers with the seasons. During the summer, their feathers are brown, but in the winter, they become primarily white.
- These birds are sometimes called “Arctic hawks” due to their northern habitat.
- Rough-legged Hawks are known for their distinctive hovering flight, which allows them to stay in one place while scanning for movement below.
16. Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is a small tropical species in Central and South America. They are an accidental species in Texas but can be seen in the state’s southern areas all year round.
- Length: 31-41cm (12-16 inches)
- Weight: 250-300g (8.8-10.6oz)
- Wingspan: Avg 78cm (31 inches)
- Roadside Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo magnirostris
Appearance
Roadside Hawks are small birds of prey with short, rounded wings, long tails, long slim legs, and large pale yellow eyes.
They are grayish-brown above and barred below. The tail is long and has 3 to 4 dark bands.
Habitat
Roadside Hawks are adaptable birds that live in a variety of habitats. They are commonly seen perched along roadsides, in open and semi-open areas.
They are native to Central and South America, ranging from Mexico to Argentina, and are accidental visitors to the United States, particularly Texas.
Diet
Roadside Hawks are predatory birds that feed on large insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, small birds and mammals such as mice and squirrels, and reptiles such as snakes and lizards.
They are skilled hunters, often watching for prey from roadside perches and fence posts before swooping down to grab their prey. It is also known to walk on the ground when searching for its next meal.
Nesting
Roadside Hawks typically build their nests in trees, usually in the fork of a branch or on a horizontal limb. They construct the nest using sticks, twigs, and leaves.
The female lays 1-3 eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents are believed to participate in incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Interesting facts
- These hawks are often seen perched prominently along roadsides or utility wires, hence their name, as they utilize these vantage points to search for prey.
- They are considered an opportunistic species, adapting to various habitats and taking advantage of available food sources.
17. Short-tailed Hawk
Short-tailed Hawks are small birds of prey found primarily in Central and South America. They are accidental visitors to Texas but may be seen in the state’s southern areas all year round.
- Length: 39-44cm (15-17 inches)
- Weight: 385-480g (13.5-17oz)
- Wingspan: 83-103cm (32.7-40.5 inches)
- Short-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo brachyurus
Appearance
Short-tailed Hawks are small to medium-sized hawks with a wingspan of around 3 feet. Like other Buteo species, they can come in a light or dark morph.
Adult light morphs are dark above and light below, with a dark band on the tail. Adult dark morphs are dark brown overall, with lighter flight feathers and a dark terminal band.
Habitat
You can spot Short-tailed Hawks in various habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, wetlands, and grasslands in Central and South America. Still, people can also spot them in southern Florida.
Diet
Short-tailed Hawks feed primarily on small birds ranging from small songbirds to larger mourning doves. They occasionally eat other small creatures like rodents, snakes, frogs, and lizards.
Nesting
Short-tailed Hawks build their nests in trees around 25 feet above the ground, using sticks, twigs, moss, and green branches to construct a platform-like structure.
Although not well studied, it has been observed that the male brings the materials for the nest, and the female builds it.
They typically lay 1-3 eggs, which the female incubates for about a month. It is believed that the male brings food to the nest, and the female feeds the chicks.
Interesting facts
- These birds are primarily found in tropical and subtropical habitats in Central and South America.
- Short-tailed Hawks are one of the smallest hawk species in the Buteo family and specialist bird hunters. They can catch prey as small as finches and as large as crows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Texas have Hawks or Falcons?
Texas is home to both Hawks and Falcons. The state has seventeen species of hawks and six species of Falcons that residents can observe throughout the year.
What kind of hawks are in Texas?
Seventeen kinds of hawk species live in Texas during the year. The most common include the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, and Swainson’s Hawk.
Are Cooper’s Hawks in Texas?
Yes, Cooper’s Hawk is a common species of hawk found in Texas. It can be seen all year round in most parts of the state.
Are there gray hawks in Texas?
Yes, Gray Hawks are seen in Texas. They are typically seen in areas along the Rio Grande Valley and areas of western Texas that border Mexico during the breeding season.
How big do Hawks get in Texas?
Texas is home to three of the biggest Hawks in North America. These include the Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, and Ferruginous Hawk.
Are there white-tailed hawks in Texas?
Yes, White-tailed Hawks can be seen in Texas all year round. They typically inhabit areas in southern Texas along the gulf coast.
Keep An Eye Out For Hawks In Texas
Hawks are an incredible species of bird that people can see in Texas throughout the year. Texas is also home to many different hawk species, so residents and visitors are bound to see at least one of these mighty birds soaring and hunting in the state.
Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or just someone who enjoys learning about nature, taking some time to learn about the seventeen species of hawks that live in Texas will provide you with hours of entertainment and education.
We hope this article has provided all the information you need. If you have questions about identifying more species of birds in Texas or finding out which ones live near you, let us know!
We would love to help identify new bird species for our readers.
