About Hawks
Take a long drive anywhere in Massachusetts and you're likely to see a hawk—perhaps perched in a roadside tree or soaring over an open field.
The term "hawk" can be confusing to many people because it brings to mind images of American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. That's because "hawk" has historically been applied to many different birds of prey, including species that aren't closely related to each other.
However, there are only two groups of birds classified as hawks—the slender, round-winged Accipiters and the stocky Buteos. The seven hawk species you're likely to see in Massachusetts include representatives of both groups.
ACCIPITERS
Massachusetts hosts three Accipiter species. These bird-eating hawks often look very similar in appearance, making them quite tricky for non-experts to identify.
Characteristics
- Long tails relative to body size
- Short, rounded wings
- Associated with forest or woodland habitat
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The smallest accipiter, the Sharp-shinned—or "Sharpie" for short—is an uncommon breeder in Massachusetts. However, it can be seen in good numbers during migration.
Experienced hawk watchers can differentiate it from the larger Cooper's Hawk by the smaller head, narrower tail and facial markings.
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
The increase in Cooper’s Hawk populations over the past 30 years has been dramatic. Once rarer even than Sharp-shinned, it has bounced back and can now be seen throughout the state.
Although most at home in wooded areas, in recent years Cooper's have become more common in suburban and even urban locations.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Immatures are often confused with the smaller Cooper's Hawk, but a Northern Goshawk in adult plumage is unmistakable.
Goshawks are very uncommon, and are most often seen in larger forests. On their breeding territories, goshawks are notoriously aggressive and will not hesitate to attack passersby.
BUTEOS
There are four Buteo species that can be spotted in Massachusetts. Their preferred prey species are often small mammals, but they will also feed on birds, reptiles, and even insects.
Characteristics
- Stockier & larger than Accipiters
- Broad wings
- Wide, rounded tails
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The buteo of the forests, the Red-shouldered Hawk can be identified in flight by the pale crescent on the tips of the wings or by its insistent "keer" call.
It breeds most commonly in Plymouth and Bristol counties, but is uncommon on Cape Cod.
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
During the fall, hawkwatchers congregate to witness the mass migration of the Broad-winged Hawk. With the right weather, thousands can be seen flying over a site on a single day.
The migration is precisely timed, so it is extremely rare to see a Broad-winged Hawk in winter.
Despite its abundance during migration, it is not a common breeder in Massachusetts and is declining in many parts of the state.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Our most common hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk is seen in cities, suburbs, and the countryside. It feeds primarily on squirrels and other small mammals, and rarely presents any threat to humans or pets.
Only the adults sport a red tail. Juveniles—who are the same size as adults—keep their brown tail feathers for a year after they're born. Young birds continue to rely on their parents for food for a month or more following fledging, and can often be heard screeching for food (loudly) in late summer.
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Rough-legged hawks are arctic breeders but often move south to Massachusetts in the winter. Look for these overwinter birds in their preferred habitat of large, open fields.
They are the only buteo that regularly hunts by "kiting," or hovering in place.
Falcons
Scientists used to classify falcons among the hawks, but it has more recently been determined they are actually more closely related to woodpeckers.
American Kestrel © Mark Thorn
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Merlin
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Peregrine Falcon © Richard Johnson
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American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
The robin-sized American Kestrel is a bird of the open field and the lucky observer might see it hovering in place as it searches for grasshoppers or small rodents. It is a cavity nester and will adapt readily to human-provided nest boxes. Sadly, this colorful little falcon is in serious decline in Massachusetts, probably because of the loss of grasslands and suburban sprawl.
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
The merlin is only slightly larger than the kestrel, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude. It feeds mostly on small birds which it can capture in midair. The merlin only recently nested for the first time in Massachusetts and is still rarely seen in summer, but is regularly seen during the rest of the year, particularly in fall migration. Adult males are gray, and females and juveniles are brown.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
The fastest bird on Earth, the peregrine falcon was extirpated from Massachusetts in the 1950s when the pesticide DDT caused its eggshells to crack and break before the young were ready to hatch. It has recovered well and current numbers exceed historical highs. Only a handful of peregrines now use nest sites on cliffs as they did in the past, and most exploiting tall buildings or bridges in cities where local rock pigeons provide a steady food supply.
Other Raptors
There are several other birds of prey often lumped in with hawks, but are not all as closely related to the other species mentioned, at least from a scientific perspective.
Black Vulture © Phil Brown
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Turkey Vulture © Dominic Poliseno
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Northern Harrier © Jack Kerivan
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Bald Eagle
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Osprey © Tim Johnson
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Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
The black vulture is similar to the more common turkey vulture, but is quickly identified by its white wingtips. Although it is still uncommon in most of the state, there are areas in western Massachusetts where it is routinely seen and may well be breeding.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
The profile of the turkey vulture is distinctive as it soars overhead: it soars with a pronounced dihedral (it lifts its wings above the body) and rocks back and forth in the air currents. It is one of the earliest migrants to Massachusetts, often showing up in late February.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Also known as “fish hawk”, the osprey is now a relatively common breeder along the coast. It feeds almost exclusively on fish, and can be seen hovering over the water then spectacularly diving to capture its prey. With its dramatic black-and-white plumage and long wings, it is unmistakable.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The bald eagle was once extirpated from Massachusetts, but in 1982 a hacking program was initiated at Quabbin Reservoir and in 1989 two pairs of eagles were the first to nest in the state in over 75 years. Adults show the iconic white head and tail, but young birds do not reach adulthood until their fourth year and are overall dark with varying patches of white.
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
The northern harrier is most often seen in flight as it flies low over open country. Its owl-like face and white rump patch are the best field marks.