8 Types of Hawks in Vermont (With Pictures and Identification)

Across Vermont’s forests, fields, and wetlands, a variety of hawks soar, hunt, and thrive, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk to the nimble Sharp-shinned Hawk. These raptors play a crucial role in controlling rodent and bird populations while adding excitement for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Many hawks in Vermont can be observed year-round, while others are seasonal visitors during migration. From wetlands and forests to open fields and river corridors, each species has preferred habitats that make spotting them both a challenge and a rewarding experience.

This guide covers 8 types of hawks in Vermont, complete with identification tips, habitat information, best viewing times and locations, and interesting facts. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts alike will find valuable insights to recognize and appreciate these magnificent raptors.

Different Types of Hawks Found in Vermont

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common and widely recognized hawks in Vermont. Adults have a characteristic reddish-brown tail that is most visible when perched or soaring. Their body plumage is typically brown on the back with a lighter, streaked underside, helping them blend into wooded and open areas alike. They are large hawks, with a wingspan ranging from 43 to 52 inches, making them powerful predators.

Red-tailed Hawks are highly adaptable, inhabiting forests, farmlands, and even suburban areas. They favor high perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs to survey for prey. These hawks often soar in wide circles above open fields when hunting, giving birdwatchers a good chance to spot them. Migration patterns vary, but many Red-tailed Hawks in Vermont are year-round residents.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits, though they also hunt birds and reptiles when available. Red-tailed Hawks use their keen eyesight to spot prey from a distance and swoop down in a swift, controlled dive. They are known for their distinctive, piercing “kee-eeer” call that echoes across fields and forests.

Breeding usually occurs in spring, with nests built high in trees or on cliffs. Both male and female share responsibilities in raising the young, which fledge after about six weeks. These hawks play a vital role in Vermont’s ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and maintaining a balanced food chain.

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized forest hawks that are skilled at maneuvering through dense trees. Adults have a bluish-gray back with a reddish-barred chest, and their long tail is rounded with dark bands. They are smaller than Red-tailed Hawks but agile, with wings designed for rapid, precise flight through wooded areas. Vermont hosts both resident and migratory populations of Cooper’s Hawks.

These hawks prefer mature forests and woodlots but have adapted to suburban areas where bird feeders attract prey. Cooper’s Hawks hunt mainly birds, including doves, pigeons, and songbirds, often using surprise attacks from concealed perches. Their flight is characterized by rapid wing beats followed by short glides, making them extremely stealthy hunters.

Cooper’s Hawks are known for their sharp talons and quick reflexes, which allow them to catch prey mid-flight. They often follow bird feeders or bird baths, taking advantage of concentrated feeding areas. Despite their small size, they are aggressive hunters and can capture prey similar in size to themselves.

During the breeding season, Cooper’s Hawks build stick nests high in trees, lining them with bark and leaves. Clutch sizes typically range from three to five eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents participate in feeding and defending the nestlings, ensuring a high survival rate for the young.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in Vermont, with a slender body, short wings, and a long, squared tail. Adults display bluish-gray upperparts and reddish-orange barring on the chest, while juveniles have brown streaks. Their size and agility allow them to hunt in tight forested areas, where they excel at capturing smaller birds.

These hawks prefer dense coniferous or mixed forests for nesting and hunting. They are highly secretive, often staying hidden until they strike with remarkable speed. Sharp-shinned Hawks are migratory in Vermont, with many passing through during fall and spring migration periods.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small birds, including sparrows, finches, and chickadees. They hunt using surprise attacks, darting through branches with precision and often ambushing prey near feeders. Despite their small size, they are highly efficient predators and can outmaneuver birds much larger than themselves.

Nesting involves building compact stick nests in conifers, usually 10–50 feet above the ground. Females lay between three and six eggs, and both parents help incubate and feed the young. Sharp-shinned Hawks contribute to the local ecosystem by controlling small bird populations, maintaining a balance among forest-dwelling species.

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Broad-winged Hawks are small, stocky hawks known for their striking broad wings and short tails. Adults feature a rich brown back with finely barred underparts and distinctive black-and-white banding on the tail. These hawks are often observed soaring in large groups, or “kettles,” during migration in the fall.

They inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, often near wetlands and open fields. Broad-winged Hawks rely on thermal currents to soar efficiently, conserving energy during long-distance migration. In Vermont, they are most visible during spring and fall, when large migratory flocks pass overhead.

Their diet mainly includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally insects. Broad-winged Hawks are opportunistic hunters, using high perches and soaring to spot prey. Despite their small size relative to other buteos, they are skillful hunters and play an important ecological role in controlling rodent populations.

Breeding occurs in the spring, with nests built high in trees, often concealed within dense foliage. Females lay two to five eggs, with both parents contributing to incubation and feeding. The fledglings leave the nest after about a month, gradually learning to hunt and soar efficiently.

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)

The Northern Harrier is a medium-sized hawk known for its owl-like facial disk and long, slender wings. Adults are gray (males) or brown (females), with white rump patches visible during flight. They have a low, buoyant flight pattern that sets them apart from other hawks, often gliding just above marshes and fields while hunting.

Northern Harriers favor open habitats such as wetlands, meadows, and grasslands. In Vermont, they are often seen gliding silently over cattail marshes or agricultural fields. Their hunting style involves flying low to the ground to surprise small mammals and birds, which they detect using both sight and sound.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and amphibians. They are versatile hunters, capable of hunting in dense grass or open water edges. Northern Harriers use their long legs and talons to snatch prey without needing to perch, which allows them to cover large hunting areas efficiently.

Breeding involves building nests on the ground in dense vegetation, often hidden among reeds or grasses. Females lay between four and seven eggs, and both parents participate in feeding the chicks. These hawks are an important part of Vermont’s ecosystem, helping control populations of voles, mice, and other small animals.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized, striking raptor with rich rufous coloring on the chest and distinctive black-and-white checkered wings. Adults have long tails with narrow white bands, which are visible during flight. Their size and coloration make them one of the most visually appealing hawks in Vermont.

These hawks prefer mature deciduous or mixed forests, especially near rivers, streams, and wetlands. They are vocal birds, often calling with a loud, piercing “kee-ah” from high perches to communicate territory or alert others. In Vermont, Red-shouldered Hawks are more abundant in the southern and western regions where suitable forested habitats exist.

Their diet is varied, including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally birds. They hunt from perches or while soaring slowly over forest openings. Their hunting method is methodical, using keen eyesight and stealth to ambush prey in dense understory or along water edges.

During breeding season, they build stick nests high in trees, often near water. Clutch sizes typically range from three to four eggs, which hatch after about a month. Both parents feed the young, ensuring rapid growth and survival. Red-shouldered Hawks play a crucial role in maintaining healthy populations of small forest-dwelling animals.

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)

The Rough-legged Hawk is a large buteo that migrates to Vermont during the winter months. Adults are pale with dark wrist patches on the wings and a distinctive tail with dark bands. One of their unique features is feathered legs that extend to the toes, which help them survive cold northern climates.

They inhabit open fields, agricultural lands, and marshes, where they hunt for small mammals such as voles and lemmings. In Vermont, Rough-legged Hawks are more common during snowy winters when northern populations migrate south to find food. Their hunting behavior includes hovering briefly over open terrain before dropping on prey.

Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, with occasional birds or insects taken opportunistically. They rely on excellent vision to locate prey under snow or in tall grasses. Rough-legged Hawks are solitary hunters, often patrolling large areas alone and rarely interacting with other raptors.

Breeding occurs in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, but during their winter stay in Vermont, they are non-breeding visitors. These hawks contribute to controlling rodent populations in agricultural landscapes, making them valuable for natural pest management during winter months.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

While technically a sea eagle, the Bald Eagle is often included in hawk studies due to its raptor characteristics. Adults are easily recognized by their white head and tail, contrasting with dark brown body and wings. They have massive, hooked beaks and large talons, making them powerful predators in Vermont’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Bald Eagles prefer habitats near large bodies of water with abundant fish, although they are opportunistic feeders. In Vermont, they are most often spotted along the Connecticut River and other large lakes during both breeding and wintering seasons. They build massive nests high in tall trees, which are reused and added to year after year.

Their diet is primarily fish, but they also hunt birds, small mammals, and scavenge carrion when necessary. Bald Eagles use their excellent eyesight to locate prey from great heights, often diving at high speeds to catch fish near the water’s surface. Their hunting and scavenging habits make them versatile and resilient predators.

Breeding pairs typically lay one to three eggs, with both parents incubating and feeding chicks. Juveniles take several years to develop full adult plumage. Bald Eagles are an iconic species in Vermont, serving as a symbol of wildlife conservation success and ecological balance.

Best Places and Times to See Hawks in Vermont

Hawks can be observed throughout Vermont, but certain locations offer the best chances depending on species and season. Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks are commonly seen near open fields, forest edges, and suburban areas year-round. Look for Red-tailed Hawks perched on utility poles or soaring over fields during midday.

Broad-winged Hawks are most visible during migration, especially in late September to early October, when they form large soaring “kettles.” Ideal observation sites include the Vermont Audubon Hawk Watch locations, such as Mount Philo State Park and Camel’s Hump area. Using binoculars or spotting scopes is recommended, as these hawks often soar at high altitudes.

Northern Harriers prefer wetlands and marshes, like Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, especially during fall and winter. Scan open meadows and cattail marshes for their distinctive low gliding flight and white rump patch. Red-shouldered Hawks favor mature forests near rivers, so prime locations include Winooski River corridors and other forested riparian zones.

Rough-legged Hawks are winter visitors, best observed in open farmlands and fields during snowy months, often hunting solitary prey. Bald Eagles are most visible along lakes and rivers, including Lake Champlain and major rivers, particularly in winter when fish congregate and ice creates hunting opportunities. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for eagle activity.

FAQs About Hawks in Vermont

What hawks are most common in Vermont?

The most frequently seen hawks are Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Broad-winged Hawks. These species are residents or regular migrants in Vermont.

When is the best time to see migratory hawks?

Late September through October is peak migration for Broad-winged Hawks. Spring migration also offers good viewing opportunities for some species, such as Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Where can I observe hawks safely?

Public parks, wildlife refuges, forest edges, and open fields are ideal. Key spots include Mount Philo State Park, Camel’s Hump, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, and Lake Champlain. Binoculars or spotting scopes enhance visibility.

Do hawks attack humans or pets?

Hawks generally avoid humans and pose little risk. Small pets may be vulnerable, especially to Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawks, but such attacks are rare. Maintaining a safe distance is sufficient.

How can I identify different hawks?

Focus on size, wing shape, tail pattern, plumage color, flight style, and habitat. Red-tailed Hawks have a reddish tail; Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile forest hunters; Broad-winged Hawks soar in groups during migration.