10 Types of Hawks in Ohio (With Pictures and Identification)

Ohio’s skies are dwelling to an fascinating number of hawks, every with distinctive behaviors and pleasant flight patterns. As a hen fanatic, recognizing these raptors is regularly an thrilling expertise. Whether or not or not or not hovering excessive or perched quietly, hawks ship pleasure to each nature outing.

From the hovering Pink-tailed Hawk to the elusive Northern Goshawk, Ohio supplies fairly a couple of habitats the place these skilled hunters thrive. Studying to find out them by their calls, flight, and markings gives a rewarding downside to any birdwatcher’s adventures.

On this information, you’ll uncover detailed data and clear photos that may support you acknowledge 10 widespread hawk species in Ohio. Get able to deepen your appreciation for these majestic birds and improve your subsequent exterior exploration.

Widespread Hawks Present in Ohio

Pink-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The Pink-tailed Hawk is mainly basically probably the most widespread and often seen hawk in Ohio. This large raptor has a cumbersome physique, broad wings, and a fast, large tail. Adults are merely acknowledged by their reddish-brown tail, pale underparts, and a darkish band all by way of the stomach. The as soon as extra and higher wings are often darkish brown, whereas immature birds might have a further mottled look with a brown tail as a replacement of purple.

This hawk usually measures between 18 to 26 inches extended, with a wingspan of 45 to 56 inches. Females are sometimes larger than males, a typical trait amongst raptors. Pink-tailed Hawks are usually seen hovering in large circles excessive above open fields, highways, or perched on phone poles scanning for prey.

Pink-tailed Hawks feed utterly on small to medium-sized mammals paying homage to mice, voles, rabbits, and squirrels. They’re opportunistic hunters and will eat birds, reptiles, and even carrion. They use their eager eyesight to detect motion from excessive above, then swoop down with extraordinarily environment friendly talons to seize their prey. In Ohio, they’re energetic hunters year-round, considerably seen all by way of the autumn when juveniles disperse.

These hawks nest excessive in bushes, typically contained in the felony of a large division. They assemble massive stick nests lined with bark and greenery. Pink-tailed Hawks often lay 1–3 eggs, and each mother and father participate in elevating the youthful. A delightful actuality: the raspy scream typically utilized in motion footage for eagles is definitely the cry of the Pink-tailed Hawk!

Pink-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

The Pink-shouldered Hawk is a inserting raptor with a vibrant, vibrant look. It has reddish barring on the chest and higher physique, black-and-white checkered wings, and the namesake reddish “shoulders” seen when perched. Its tail is marked with black and slender white bands. This hawk is smaller and slimmer than the Pink-tailed Hawk nonetheless nonetheless sturdy in assemble.

It usually measures 17 to 24 inches in measurement, with a wingspan of spherical 37 to 43 inches. Pink-shouldered Hawks have a loud, repeated “kee-yer” title that echoes by the use of the woods and is commonly heard prior to the hen is seen. In Ohio, they’re largely discovered contained in the jap and southern elements of the state, the place mature forests and wetlands dominate the panorama.

This species primarily hunts from a perch, ready patiently prior to swooping down on prey. Their weight discount program includes small mammals, amphibians, snakes, and customarily crayfish, considerably in wetter habitats. They’re acknowledged for his or her adaptability in selecting meals sources, which permits them to thrive in forested river corridors and swamps all by the use of Ohio.

Nesting excessive in hardwood bushes, typically close to water, Pink-shouldered Hawks reuse the equal nest web pages for various years. They often enhance 2–4 chicks, and each adults present meals and safety. A delightful actuality: Pink-shouldered Hawks typically cooperate with crows to drive off larger raptors like Good Horned Owls—an uncommon alliance contained in the hen world!

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized forest hawks acknowledged for his or her agile flying talents and bird-hunting prowess. They’ve a shiny, predatory look with rounded wings and an extended, slender tail with thick darkish bands. Adults have steely blue-gray backs and reddish barring on the chest, whereas juveniles seem brown and intently streaked.

They measure spherical 14 to twenty inches extended, with a wingspan of 24 to 35 inches. Females might be almost one-third larger than males. These hawks are quick and skillful flyers, maneuvering by the use of dense woods with ease. In Ohio, they’re widespread year-round residents in wooded suburbs, metropolis parks, and forest edges.

Cooper’s Hawks specialise in wanting birds, significantly doves, robins, starlings, and sparrows. They generally stake out hen feeders, utilizing stealth and canopy to shock their prey. They might furthermore hunt small mammals like chipmunks and squirrels. Their high-speed ambush assaults make them one among many environment nice hen predators in North America.

Their nests are well-hidden in dense bushes and often positioned in a crotch or in route of a trunk. The feminine lays 3–5 eggs and does a lot of the incubating whereas the male supplies meals. A delightful actuality: Cooper’s Hawks are typically mistaken for Sharp-shinned Hawks, nonetheless they’re often instructed aside by their larger heads, bulkier dimension, and rounded tails when flying.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

Sharp-shinned Hawks are the smallest hawks in Ohio and among the many many many most elusive. They’ve quick, rounded wings and extended, square-tipped tails, which assist them dart swiftly by the use of thick cowl. Adults are slate-gray above with reddish-orange barring on the chest, whereas immature birds are brown above and streaky beneath.

These compact hawks measure 9 to 13 inches extended, with wingspans of about 17 to 22 inches. Males are notably smaller than females, a distinction that might be excessive on this species. Sharp-shinned Hawks are seen in Ohio primarily all by way of migration in spring and fall, although a couple of might overwinter in forested areas or close to yard feeders.

They feed nearly solely on small songbirds, ambushing them with explosive velocity and exact aerial administration. They’re acknowledged for his or her skill to fly by the use of bushes and shrubs at astonishing speeds to catch prey. Usually, they could furthermore eat bugs and rodents, nonetheless birds preserve their primary meals present.

Their nests are usually inbuilt coniferous or combined woodlands, often excessive in dense bushes. They lay 3–7 eggs, and the youthful fledge in a couple of month. A delightful actuality: Regardless of their fierce nature, Sharp-shinned Hawks typically fall sufferer to bigger hawks like Cooper’s Hawks and even owls, making them each predator and prey in Ohio’s forests.

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Broad-winged Hawks are small nonetheless stocky hawks with broad wings and quick tails. Adults have darkish brown upperparts and pale underparts with reddish-brown barring all by way of the chest. The tail is black with daring white bands, which is a key self-discipline mark when seen from beneath. These hawks are most repeatedly seen all by way of migration barely than whereas nesting.

They vary from 13 to 17 inches in measurement, with a wingspan of 29 to 39 inches. In Ohio, Broad-winged Hawks breed primarily in mature deciduous forests all by way of the state, nonetheless they’re best to try in massive numbers all by way of fall migration, when 1000’s soar southward in tight teams often generally called “kettles.”

Their weight discount program includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and huge bugs. They hunt from low perches, scanning the forest ground for motion. Not like Pink-tailed Hawks, which favor open terrain, Broad-winged Hawks protect hidden in dense woods all by way of the breeding season, making them tougher to determine moreover they’re flying overhead.

These hawks assemble stick nests in massive bushes, usually laying 1–3 eggs. Each mother and father take care of the youthful till fledging. A delightful actuality: Broad-winged Hawks undertake one in all many longest migrations of any North American raptor—touring over 4,000 miles to South America every fall!

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)

The Northern Harrier is a specific hawk acknowledged for its owl-like facial disk, extended wings, and extended tail. It flies low over open fields and marshes with wings held in a V-shape, typically gliding slowly because of it searches for prey. Males are pale grey above with white undersides, whereas females and juveniles are brown with streaked bellies. All ages have a noticeable white rump patch, a key self-discipline mark for identification.

Northern Harriers measure 16 to twenty inches in measurement, with wingspans starting from 38 to 48 inches. In Ohio, they’re most steadily seen all by way of migration and winter, although some breed contained in the northern and western elements of the state in in depth wetlands or grasslands. Not like many various hawks, they rely intently on sound together with imaginative and prescient when wanting.

Their weight discount program consists primarily of small mammals like voles and mice, nonetheless furthermore they eat birds, frogs, and bugs. They fly low over fields, listening and anticipating motion. Their facial disk helps funnel sound to their ears, very like an owl’s. They might furthermore often hunt by hovering briefly prior to dropping down onto prey.

Northern Harriers nest on the underside in dense vegetation, establishing nests of sticks and grasses hidden in tall grass or reeds. Females lay 4–6 eggs and lift the chicks with meals supplied by the male. A delightful actuality: Northern Harriers are one in all many few raptors in North America the place polygyny is seen—one male might mate with quite a few females in a single season.

Strong-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)

The Strong-legged Hawk is a winter purchaser to Ohio, breeding contained in the Arctic tundra and arriving contained in the state all by way of the chilly months. It’s a large hawk with extended, broad wings and an enormous tail. This species will get its title from its feathered legs, which assist keep it heat in freezing temperatures. Plumage varies, nonetheless most present darkish “wrist” patches on the wings and a darkish stomach band.

These hawks usually measure 18 to 24 inches in measurement and have wingspans of 52 to 54 inches. In Ohio, they’re seen in open fields, farmlands, and grasslands, considerably contained in the western and northern elements of the state. They generally hover whereas wanting, a trait they share with the masses smaller American Kestrel.

Their primary meals present is small rodents, considerably voles. Strong-legged Hawks hunt from perches or by hovering in place, scanning the underside beneath for motion. Their talons shouldn’t be going to be as sturdy as utterly completely different hawks’, nonetheless they’re correctly tailored for capturing lighter prey in large open areas.

They nest on cliffs or in bushes contained in the Arctic all by way of summer time season and migrate south for the winter. A delightful actuality: Not like most hawks, Strong-legged Hawks have terribly variable colour morphs—light and darkish varieties—which might make identification a lovely downside for birdwatchers.

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

The Northern Goshawk is a very powerful and strongest of the Accipiter hawks in North America. Adults have inserting grey plumage, a broad chest, purple eyes, and daring white stripes over the eyes that seem as if eyebrows. Juveniles are brown with heavy streaking and pale yellow eyes. Goshawks have broad wings and an extended tail, serving to them maneuver skillfully by the use of forests.

These raptors measure 20 to 26 inches in measurement and have wingspans between 40 to 46 inches. They’re uncommon guests to Ohio, usually seen solely in winter and primarily in distant, forested areas contained in the northeast. Because of their secretive nature and choice for deep woods, sightings contained in the state are sporadic and thrilling for birders.

Northern Goshawks are fierce and relentless hunters. They feed on a wide range of prey together with rabbits, squirrels, grouse, and utterly completely different birds. Their wanting sort includes extraordinarily environment friendly dashes by the use of bushes and underbrush to ambush prey. They’re acknowledged for defending their nests aggressively—even in route of people.

Nesting largely happens in massive coniferous or combined forests in Canada and the northern U.S. A delightful actuality: In medieval occasions, Northern Goshawks have been prized in falconry and reserved for the Aristocracy due to their power, braveness, and looking potential.

Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Swainson’s Hawk is a long-distance migrant not often seen in Ohio, often all by way of spring or fall migration. It’s a slim Buteo with extended pointed wings and a small head. Adults are usually brown on the as soon as extra with a pale underside and a darkish chest patch. Their tails are often grey with slender bands. Mild and darkish morphs exist, nonetheless most people contained in the East are light-morph.

They vary from 18 to 22 inches in measurement, with wingspans between 45 and 55 inches. Whereas their breeding vary is primarily contained in the western U.S., some vagrant people might drift east into Ohio, significantly in open agricultural areas or all by way of migration intervals.

Swainson’s Hawks have a singular weight discount program as in contrast with utterly completely different hawks—they primarily eat bugs like grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, considerably all by way of migration and on their wintering grounds in South America. Within the midst of the breeding season, furthermore they hunt small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

They nest in remoted bushes or on utility poles in prairies or farmlands contained in the western U.S. A delightful actuality: Swainson’s Hawk undertakes one in all many longest migrations of any raptor, touring over 6,000 miles to winter in Argentina—incomes it the nickname “grasshopper hawk.”

Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

Ferruginous Hawks are a very powerful Buteo hawks in North America and are terribly uncommon in Ohio, usually seen as unintentional vagrants. Their title refers to their rust-colored (ferruginous) as soon as extra and legs. These hawks have extended wings, massive heads, and legs utterly feathered to the toes. Mild morphs have pale underparts and a reddish as soon as extra, whereas darkish morphs are largely chocolate brown.

They measure 22 to 27 inches in measurement and have a formidable wingspan of 52 to 60 inches. Ferruginous Hawks are constructed for large open areas and are principally discovered contained in the western U.S. in grasslands and deserts. In Ohio, they could often seem in open fields all by way of migration or winter, although sightings are terribly unusual.

Their weight discount program consists primarily of ground-dwelling mammals like prairie canines, floor squirrels, and rabbits. They might furthermore take birds and reptiles. They generally hunt by hovering, hovering, or ready on elevated perches prior to swooping down.

They nest on cliffs, floor mounds, and even on massive hay bales contained in the West. A delightful actuality: Ferruginous Hawks have a excessive tolerance for warmth and are acknowledged to nest in open photograph voltaic with out shade, a weird trait amongst raptors.

Always Requested Questions About Hawks in Ohio

What’s the commonest hawk in Ohio?

The Pink-tailed Hawk is the most common and widespread hawk species in Ohio. It is perhaps seen year-round in a wide range of habitats together with forests, fields, and concrete areas.

When is probably going one of many best time to see hawks in Ohio?

Hawks might be seen year-round in Ohio, nonetheless most likely the best occasions to try them are all by way of spring and fall migration seasons when many species cross by the use of the state in massive numbers.

Do hawks in Ohio migrate?

Optimistic, some hawk species in Ohio migrate. For instance, Broad-winged Hawks and Swainson’s Hawks undertake extended migrations to Central and South America. Utterly completely different species, like Pink-tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks, are sometimes year-round residents.

What do hawks in Ohio eat?

Hawks in Ohio eat a wide range of prey together with small mammals (mice, rabbits, squirrels), birds, reptiles, amphibians, and bugs. Weight-reduction plan varies by species and habitat.

The place do hawks in Ohio nest?

Most hawks nest in bushes, typically in tall, mature forests or wooded areas close to open fields. Some species, just like the Northern Harrier, nest on the underside in dense grass or marshes.

Are any hawks in Ohio endangered?

Most hawk species in Ohio shouldn’t be going to be endangered, nonetheless they income from habitat safety and clear environments. Occasional uncommon guests, just like the Northern Goshawk, are loads a lot much less often seen.

Can hawks assist administration pests in Ohio?

Optimistic, hawks play an obligatory place in controlling rodent and bug populations, making them helpful for sustaining healthful ecosystems and even serving to farmers.