With its vast and diverse landscape, Wyoming is home to a fascinating array of hawks. From the majestic Northern Goshawk to the nimble Cooper’s Hawk, these incredible raptors showcase an impressive range of characteristics and adaptations. Found throughout various habitats, these expert predators rely on their sharp beaks, keen hearing, and powerful talons to hunt and thrive. Whether soaring through the skies or perched along roadsides, these hawks mesmerize with their agility and grace. Join us on a journey to discover the eight species of hawks that call Wyoming their home, and unravel the captivating stories behind each of these magnificent creatures.
Cooper’s Hawk
Size and Appearance
Cooper’s hawks are medium-sized birds, reaching lengths of 14-20 inches and weighing around 0.5-1.5 lbs. Males are typically smaller than females. They have a compact body with broad wings and a long, rounded tail. Their plumage is a combination of gray on the back and white on the underside, with brown barring and red eyes. Juvenile Cooper’s hawks have brown backs with brown streaks and a white belly, and their eyes are yellow.
Habitat and Range
Cooper’s hawks can be found in various habitats throughout Wyoming. They are adaptable birds and can be seen in forests, woodlands, parks, and even suburban areas. They are year-round residents in Wyoming, making it their home throughout all seasons.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Cooper’s hawks are skilled hunters and primarily feed on small to medium-sized birds. They are known for their agility and speed in flight, which allows them to chase and capture their prey. These hawks often perch in trees and ambush their prey, using their sharp talons and beak to catch and kill their target. In suburban areas, they may even hunt smaller birds at bird feeders or in backyard gardens.
Ferruginous Hawk
Size and Appearance
The ferruginous hawk is the largest hawk found in North America. They measure around 22-27 inches in length and have a wingspan of 4.5-5.5 feet. They have a stocky build with broad wings and a long, broad, and rounded tail. Adults have a striking rusty red plumage on their head, back, and belly, while their wings are pale. Their eyes are yellow.
Habitat and Range
Ferruginous hawks prefer open habitats such as grasslands, prairies, and deserts. In Wyoming, they can be found in these areas, as well as in agricultural fields and shrublands. They are not as abundant in forested areas and tend to avoid human-populated areas.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Ferruginous hawks are versatile hunters and have a varied diet. They primarily feed on small mammals such as rodents, rabbits, and ground squirrels. They will also eat birds, snakes, lizards, and insects when necessary. These hawks typically rely on their keen eyesight to spot prey from high perches or while soaring in the sky, and then they swoop down to capture their target using their sharp talons.
Northern Goshawk
Size and Appearance
Northern goshawks are large hawks, measuring around 20-26 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 3.5-4.5 feet. Females are larger than males. They have a robust build, short broad wings, and a long tail. Their plumage varies, but adults generally have dark gray or blackish backs, pale bellies, and dark heads with a distinctive white eyebrow. Juveniles have brown streaks on their bellies.
Habitat and Range
Northern goshawks are most commonly found in coniferous forests and wooded areas. They prefer mature forests with dense vegetation for nesting and hunting. In Wyoming, they can be found in mountainous regions and forested areas. They tend to avoid human-populated areas and are more secretive in their behavior.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Northern goshawks are skilled hunters and have a diverse diet. Their primary prey consists of medium-sized birds and mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, and grouse. They are powerful flyers and often hunt by surprise, bursting out of cover to catch their prey in mid-air or on the ground. These hawks possess sharp talons and a strong beak to efficiently capture and kill their targets.
Northern Harrier
Size and Appearance
Northern harriers are medium-sized hawks, measuring around 16-20 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 3.5-4.5 feet. Adult males have a grayish-white body with black wingtips, a distinctive white rump, and a gray tail. Females and juveniles have brown plumage with a streaked belly. They have an owl-like facial disk which helps with their hearing.
Habitat and Range
Northern harriers can be found in a variety of open habitats. They prefer marshes, grasslands, and agricultural fields. In Wyoming, they can be seen year-round, and their preferred habitats include wetlands and fields. They are adaptable birds and can also be found in coastal areas and tundra regions.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Northern harriers are unique among hawks in that they hunt by sound as well as sight. They have exceptionally keen hearing and can detect the rustling of prey hidden in vegetation. They primarily feed on small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they also eat birds, frogs, and insects. These hawks hunt by flying low to the ground, often gliding with their wings held in a V-shape, and then pouncing on their prey.
Red-tailed Hawk
Size and Appearance
Red-tailed hawks are large hawks, measuring around 18-26 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 3.5-4.8 feet. They have a stocky build with broad wings and a long, broad tail. Their plumage can vary, but adults typically have a reddish-brown back, a pale belly with dark markings, and a brick-red tail. Juveniles have brown backs and brown streaks on their bellies.
Habitat and Range
Red-tailed hawks are the most widespread hawk species in North America. They can be found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and even urban areas. In Wyoming, they are common throughout the state and can be seen soaring or perched along roadsides, as well as in open fields and along waterways.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Red-tailed hawks are opportunistic predators and have a varied diet. They primarily prey on small mammals such as mice, voles, rabbits, and squirrels. They also eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. These hawks are active during the day, using their keen eyesight to spot prey from a high perch or while soaring in the sky. They then swoop down to grab their target using their sharp talons.
Rough-legged Hawk
Size and Appearance
Rough-legged hawks are medium-sized hawks, measuring around 18-22 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 4.5-5 feet. They have a slender build with long wings and a long, feathered legging, giving them the appearance of wearing feathered trousers. Their plumage varies, but adults typically have a black-brown belly with a white tail and white patches on their wings. Juveniles have a brown belly with streaks.
Habitat and Range
Rough-legged hawks breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate south during the winter. In Wyoming, they can be seen during the fall and winter months. They prefer open habitats such as grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields. During migration, they may also be seen in more forested areas.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Rough-legged hawks have a varied diet, primarily consisting of small mammals such as voles, mice, and ground squirrels. They are adept hunters and can hover in the air for long periods, scanning the ground for prey. When they spot a potential meal, they dive down to capture it using their sharp talons. Their feathered legs help keep them warm in cold climates and provide camouflage in their snowy habitats.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Size and Appearance
Sharp-shinned hawks are small hawks, measuring around 9-13 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 17-22 inches. They have a compact build with short wings and a long, squared tail. Adults have a blue-gray back, a reddish-brown barred belly, and a distinctive dark cap on their head. Juveniles have brown streaks on their belly.
Habitat and Range
Sharp-shinned hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and suburban areas. In Wyoming, they can be seen year-round and are adaptable to various environments. They often chase small birds through forests, using their agility and speed to capture their prey.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Sharp-shinned hawks are highly skilled hunters and primarily feed on small birds. They have a stealthy hunting technique, gliding low to the ground and maneuvering through dense vegetation to surprise their prey. They use their sharp talons and hooked beak to capture and kill their targets. These hawks are known for their agility and quick flight, making them well-suited to hunting in wooded areas.
Swainson’s Hawk
Size and Appearance
Swainson’s hawks are medium-sized hawks, measuring around 18-22 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 4-5 feet. They have a slender build with long, pointed wings and a long, broad tail. Adults have a gray head, reddish-brown wings, a brown bib on the chest, and a white belly streaked with rust. Juveniles have brown plumage with streaks.
Habitat and Range
Swainson’s hawks are migratory birds and can be found in Wyoming during the breeding season. They breed in open habitat such as grasslands and wetlands. They migrate south to South America during the winter months.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Swainson’s hawks have a varied diet, feeding on a range of prey including small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. They are highly skilled aerial hunters who catch their prey while flying. They may soar at great heights, using their exceptional eyesight to spot prey on the ground, and then dive down to snatch it using their sharp talons. These hawks are known for their long-distance migration and can cover thousands of miles during their annual journey.
Osprey
Size and Appearance
Ospreys are large raptors, measuring around 21-24 inches in length. They have a wingspan of 5-6 feet. They have a slender build with long, narrow wings and a distinctive crook in their wings. They have a brown upper body, a white head and underparts, and a brown eye stripe. Their eyes are yellow.
Habitat and Range
Ospreys can be found near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. In Wyoming, they primarily inhabit areas near freshwater lakes and rivers. They are highly adapted to catching fish and have unique adaptations such as reversible outer toes and spiny scales on their feet to help grip slippery prey. Ospreys are migratory and can be seen in Wyoming during the summer months.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Ospreys have a specialized diet consisting exclusively of fish. They are skilled hunters and have adapted to catch fish in various ways. When hunting, they hover in mid-air, scanning the water’s surface for fish. Once they spot their prey, they plunge feet-first into the water, submerging themselves partially to catch the fish with their sharp talons. They then take off and fly to a nearby perch to consume their catch. Ospreys are highly efficient fish hunters and play an essential role in aquatic ecosystems.
In conclusion, Wyoming is home to a diverse range of hawk species, each with its own unique characteristics, habitats, and hunting behaviors. From the adaptable Cooper’s hawk and red-tailed hawk to the specialized fisher, the osprey, these raptors play important roles in the ecosystems they inhabit. Their keen senses, sharp beaks, and powerful talons make them skilled predators capable of capturing a wide variety of prey. Whether soaring through the skies or perched in trees, hawks are a remarkable sight to behold and a fascinating part of Wyoming’s wildlife.