In Oregon, there are 8 fascinating species of hawks that call this diverse state their home. From the majestic and largest North American hawk, the ferruginous hawk, to the stealthy and secretive goshawk, each species has its own unique characteristics and preferred habitat. Some hawks, like the Cooper’s hawk, can even be found right in suburban areas. Interestingly, the northern harrier has an owl-like face and constructs its nests on the ground. The red-tailed hawk reigns as the most common hawk in all of North America, while the sharp-shinned hawk holds the title of the smallest hawk species in the US. Swainson’s hawks can be spotted effortlessly amidst agricultural landscapes, while the rough-legged hawks embark on epic migrations to the northern Arctic for breeding. It’s important to note that ospreys, although not technically hawks, are closely related and can also be spotted near bodies of water in Oregon. So grab your binoculars and get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the diverse and captivating world of Oregon’s hawks!
Cooper’s Hawk
Characteristics
Cooper’s Hawks, a species of hawk found in Oregon, are known for their medium-sized bodies and short, rounded wings. They have a dark blue-gray color on their upper parts and pale underparts with dark horizontal barring. The adult birds have bright red eyes and a black cap on their heads. Their tails are long and have dark bands.
Habitat
Cooper’s Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from woodlands to urban areas. They are often found near dense forests and open areas with scattered trees. These hawks are known to adapt well to human presence and can even be spotted in suburban areas, where they hunt for prey like small birds and mammals.
Distribution
Cooper’s Hawks have a broad distribution and can be found all across North America, including Oregon. They can be seen in various parts of the state, from the coastal regions to the eastern forests. These hawks are migratory birds and may move to different locations depending on the season.
Behavior
Cooper’s Hawks are known for their agile flight and hunting skills. They are efficient predators and are often seen chasing after their prey through dense vegetation. These hawks have remarkable maneuverability, allowing them to navigate through complex environments. They are also known for their characteristic courtship displays, which involve elaborate aerial acrobatics.
Ferruginous Hawk
Characteristics
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest hawk species in North America and is easily recognizable by its size and appearance. These hawks have a wingspan of up to 4 feet and can be over 2 feet in length. They have a rusty-colored plumage, which gives them their name. Their bellies are white, and their legs are feathered down to their toes. The adults have a light-colored head and a dark patch around their eyes.
Habitat
Ferruginous Hawks prefer open grasslands and prairies as their primary habitat. They can also be found in desert areas and agricultural fields. These hawks often build their nests on cliffs or in trees, typically near grassy areas. They require large territories to hunt for their preferred prey, which includes small mammals, such as rabbits and ground squirrels.
Distribution
Ferruginous Hawks have a widespread distribution across North America, including the state of Oregon. They can be found in certain parts of Oregon, especially in the eastern regions where grasslands dominate the landscape. These hawks are known to migrate over long distances and can spend the winters in warmer areas of the United States.
Behavior
One notable behavior of Ferruginous Hawks is their tendency to soar at great heights, taking advantage of thermal updrafts to conserve energy while searching for prey. They are skilled hunters and primarily rely on their sharp vision to spot small animals from a distance. These hawks are also known to aggressively defend their nests and territories against potential predators or intruders.
Northern Goshawk
Characteristics
Northern Goshawks are powerful and secretive birds known for their striking appearance. They have a slate-gray plumage, with a white supercilium (eyebrow) and a dark cap on their heads. Their tails are long and have narrow dark bands. These hawks have a robust build with broad wings and relatively short tails.
Habitat
Northern Goshawks prefer mature forests with dense vegetation and canopies, making them secretive and elusive birds. They can be found in both coniferous and deciduous forests, where they build large stick nests on tall trees. These hawks require large territories for hunting and nesting, which provide a sufficient supply of their preferred prey, including small mammals and birds.
Distribution
Northern Goshawks can be found in various parts of North America, including Oregon. They inhabit forested areas throughout the state, from the western coastal regions to the eastern mountains. These hawks are not as commonly seen as some other species due to their secretive nature and preference for dense forests.
Behavior
Northern Goshawks are known for their aggressive behavior, especially during the breeding season when they fiercely defend their nests and territories. They have been observed engaging in aerial displays and vocalizations to establish dominance and attract mates. These hawks are skilled hunters, capable of capturing prey in mid-air or making quick and precise dives to catch animals on the ground.
Northern Harrier
Characteristics
Northern Harriers, commonly known as marsh hawks, are distinctive birds of prey known for their owl-like faces. They have a slender body and long, broad wings. The adult males have a gray color on their back and wings, with a white rump and underparts. The females and juveniles have a brown coloration, making them more camouflaged. Both sexes have a white patch located on the upper side of their tail.
Habitat
Northern Harriers can be found in a variety of habitats, including marshes, wetlands, grasslands, and open fields. They often hunt for prey in low, hovering flights, making their habitat preferences essential for their hunting strategy. These hawks build their nests on the ground, typically hidden in dense vegetation, to protect them from predators.
Distribution
Northern Harriers have a widespread distribution throughout North America, including Oregon. They can be found in various regions of the state that offer suitable habitats for their hunting and nesting needs. Their populations can fluctuate depending on the availability of prey and suitable breeding areas.
Behavior
Northern Harriers are unique among hawks in their hunting behavior. They have a distinctive flight pattern, flying low to the ground and using their acute hearing to locate small mammals, such as mice and voles, in the vegetation below. These hawks are also known for their polygynous mating system, where one male may mate with multiple females and provide food for them and their offspring.
Red-tailed Hawk
Characteristics
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common hawk species in North America and is easily recognized by its size and coloration. These hawks have a large body with a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They have a reddish-brown color on their back and tail, which gives them their name. Their underparts are paler, with a distinct belly band.
Habitat
Red-tailed Hawks are adaptable birds and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and even urban areas. They commonly build their nests on the tops of tall trees or on cliff ledges. These hawks are opportunistic hunters and can adapt their feeding habits depending on the available prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Distribution
Red-tailed Hawks have a vast distribution throughout North America, including Oregon. They can be found in almost all regions of the state, from the coastal areas to the mountains and valleys. These hawks are well-suited to a range of habitats and are one of the most frequently observed hawk species in Oregon.
Behavior
Red-tailed Hawks are known for their soaring flight pattern, often seen circling high in the sky while searching for prey. They have keen eyesight and can spot small animals from incredible distances. These hawks are typically solitary birds, although they may form pairs during the breeding season. They defend their nesting territories vigorously and will employ aerial displays to intimidate potential threats.
Rough-legged Hawk
Characteristics
Rough-legged Hawks are migratory birds that spend their breeding season in the northern Arctic. These hawks have a medium-sized body with a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They have a dark brown color on their wings, back, and tail, with a distinctive white tail base and white underparts. The feathers on their legs are feathered all the way down to their toes, a characteristic that sets them apart from other hawk species.
Habitat
Rough-legged Hawks favor open areas, such as tundra, grasslands, and prairies, during their breeding season. They build their nests on cliffs or in trees in these areas. In Oregon, they are mainly seen during the winter months when they migrate to more temperate regions. During this time, they can be observed in agricultural fields and wetlands.
Distribution
Rough-legged Hawks breed in the high Arctic regions of North America and then migrate south for the winter. In Oregon, they are considered winter visitors and can be observed in certain locations during the colder months. These hawks often form large communal roosts, where they gather before continuing their journey.
Behavior
Rough-legged Hawks are known for their soaring flight and characteristic hovering behavior. They can hover in mid-air for extended periods, scanning the ground below for prey, which mainly consists of small rodents. These hawks are highly adapted to cold climates, possessing dense plumage and feathered legs to provide insulation during the harsh Arctic winters.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Characteristics
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk species in the United States, known for its agile flight and small size. These hawks have a compact body with short wings and a long, banded tail. The adults have a bluish-gray back and wings, with a reddish coloration on their underparts. The juveniles have a streaked brown plumage.
Habitat
Sharp-shinned Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests to urban areas. They are often associated with woodlands and dense vegetation, where they can maneuver easily through the trees in pursuit of their prey. These hawks typically build their nests in trees, hidden among thick foliage.
Distribution
Sharp-shinned Hawks have a widespread distribution across North America and can be found throughout Oregon. They are migratory birds, spending their breeding season in the northern regions and migrating south during the winter. These hawks are known to form loose flocks during migration, offering opportunities for birdwatchers to observe them in large numbers.
Behavior
Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile predators and are specialized in capturing small birds and mammals. They have exceptional flying skills, allowing them to navigate through dense vegetation while in pursuit of their prey. These hawks are known to employ a “still hunting” strategy, perching silently and then making quick surprise attacks on unsuspecting birds.
Swainson’s Hawk
Characteristics
Swainson’s Hawks are medium-sized hawks known for their elegant appearance. They have a slim body with long, broad wings. The adults have a brown coloration on their upperparts and a pale underbody with a reddish-brown chest. The juveniles have a streaked brown plumage. These hawks have a white underwing with distinctive dark flight feathers.
Habitat
Swainson’s Hawks can be found in a range of habitats, including grasslands, agricultural areas, and open forests. They often prefer areas with open fields and agricultural fields, where they can find their favored prey of small mammals, insects, and reptiles. These hawks typically build their nests on tall trees or on man-made structures, such as power poles.
Distribution
Swainson’s Hawks have a broad distribution across North America, including Oregon. They are common summer visitors to the state, arriving in the spring and leaving in the fall to migrate to South America for the winter. These hawks are known for their impressive migratory flights, covering thousands of miles during their annual journey.
Behavior
Swainson’s Hawks exhibit unique migratory behavior known as “kettling,” where they gather in large flocks and spiral upwards on thermal updrafts before setting off on their journey. These hawks are skilled hunters and can often be seen soaring through the sky, scanning the ground for prey. They are also highly social birds, often nesting in colonies.
Osprey
Characteristics
Although not technically hawks, Ospreys are closely related and are commonly referred to as “fish hawks.” These birds have a large wingspan of up to 6 feet and a distinctive appearance. They have a brown coloration on their upperparts and a white underbody. Ospreys have a unique reversible outer toe, which allows them to grasp fish with two toes in front and two toes behind.
Habitat
Ospreys can be found near bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. They are specialized in catching fish and have unique adaptations for this purpose, such as reversible outer toes and sharp talons. Ospreys typically build large stick nests known as “eyries” in trees or on man-made structures near water bodies.
Distribution
Ospreys are a migratory species and can be found in various parts of North America, including Oregon. They arrive in the state during the spring and summer months for breeding, often returning to the same nesting sites year after year. These birds provide excellent opportunities for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to observe their impressive fishing techniques.
Behavior
Ospreys are highly skilled fishermen and employ a unique hunting technique. They hover over the water body and then dive feet-first, plunging into the water to capture fish with their sharp talons. These birds have specialized adaptations, including oily feathers and reversible outer toes, which enhance their ability to catch and hold onto fish. Ospreys are known to build large nests and are often seen flying to and from their nesting sites, carrying fish to feed their young.