In Iowa, there are nine fascinating types of hawks that inhabit the state’s vibrant landscapes. From the mighty Red-tailed Hawk, known for its year-round presence, to the elusive Broad-winged Hawk that nests in secluded areas, each species brings its unique characteristics and behaviors. The Northern Harrier mesmerizes with its distinctive gliding style, while Sharp-shinned Hawks, the smallest hawks in the United States, are expert hunters of small birds and rodents. However, it is the Cooper’s Hawks that stand out for their skilled flying abilities, albeit with a potential challenge to bird feeders and rehabilitators. For those who venture into dense forests, they may catch a glimpse of the strikingly gray Northern Goshawks with their distinguished white stripes over their eyes. On the eastern border of Iowa, the Red-Shouldered Hawks delight with their reddish underbelly. Swainson’s Hawks, known for their breeding season presence in the northwestern border, add to the diversity of Iowa’s hawk population. Finally, Rough-legged Hawks grace the state’s entire expanse during their non-breeding season, creating a captivating spectacle for all who observe them.
Red-tailed Hawk
Description
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common hawk found in Iowa and can be seen year-round. With a wingspan of up to four feet, it is a large bird of prey. Red-tailed Hawks are known for their beautiful rufous-colored tails, which are their identifying feature. They have a dark brown back and a pale belly, with a reddish belly band that gives them their name. Their eyes are very sharp and keen, allowing them to spot their prey from a great distance.
Habitat
Red-tailed Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats throughout Iowa. They are commonly seen in open fields, farmlands, and grassy areas, but they can also be found in forests and along rivers. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in both rural and urban environments.
Behavior
Red-tailed Hawks are solitary and territorial birds. They spend a lot of their time perched on high vantage points, such as tree branches or power poles, where they can have a clear view of their surroundings. They have excellent eyesight and can spot small prey from great distances. Once they locate their target, they will swoop down from their perch with incredible speed to catch it.
Breeding
Red-tailed Hawks typically breed between March and July. During this time, they build large nests on tree branches, utility poles, or cliffs. The female lays two to three eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about 28 to 35 days. The chicks hatch out covered in white down feathers and grow quickly. They fledge around seven to eight weeks old and become independent shortly after.
Migration
Although many Red-tailed Hawks in Iowa remain resident throughout the year, some individuals do migrate. The ones that migrate can be seen in large numbers during the fall and spring seasons, as they pass through Iowa on their way to and from their breeding grounds. They take advantage of thermals and winds to make their long journeys more efficient.
Northern Harrier
Description
The Northern Harrier is a medium-sized hawk with a distinctive appearance. Adults have a wingspan of around three to four feet and are characterized by their long, narrow wings and a long tail. The males are pale gray above and whitish below, while the females and juveniles are brown with streaks. Another unique feature of the Northern Harrier is their owl-like facial disk, which helps to enhance their hearing.
Habitat
Northern Harriers can be found in Iowa during the non-breeding season. They prefer open grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields, where they can easily find their preferred prey. They are often observed flying low over these habitats, using their excellent hearing and eyesight to locate small mammals.
Behavior
Northern Harriers have a distinctive gliding style when flying low over fields, which allows them to easily spot their prey. They have a keen sense of hearing, enabling them to detect the movements of rodents and small mammals in the grass. Once they locate their prey, they swoop down with great precision to catch it. They are also known for their characteristic hunting behavior called “sky-dancing,” where the males perform a series of aerial acrobatics during courtship displays.
Breeding
Northern Harriers breed in the northern parts of the United States and Canada. They build their nests on the ground in grassy areas, typically hidden in tall vegetation. The female lays a clutch of four to seven eggs, which she incubates for about 30 to 32 days. Both parents are involved in raising the young, providing food and protection until they fledge at around five to six weeks old.
Migration
Northern Harriers are migratory birds, and some individuals can be seen in Iowa during the non-breeding season. They undertake long-distance journeys, often crossing large bodies of water, to reach their wintering grounds in more southern areas. These migratory movements can be witnessed in the fall and spring, as they pass through Iowa on their way to and from their breeding grounds.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Description
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in the United States, measuring only about the size of a crow. They have short, rounded wings and a long tail, which helps them maneuver through dense forests. Sharp-shinned Hawks have a grayish or bluish back with a reddish-barred breast. Their eyes are bright orange, and they have sharp, hooked beaks.
Habitat
Sharp-shinned Hawks can be found in a variety of forested habitats, including coniferous and deciduous forests. They prefer dense, wooded areas where they can find cover for hunting and nesting. They can also be spotted in suburban areas with mature trees.
Behavior
Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile and swift fliers. They often fly at high speeds through the tree canopy, chasing after small birds and rodents. They are known for their stealth and surprise attacks on their prey. They have excellent vision and can make quick turns and dives to catch their targets.
Diet
Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily feed on small birds, such as sparrows, finches, and warblers. They also consume small mammals, reptiles, and insects. They are skilled hunters and are able to catch their prey both in flight and on the ground.
Breeding
Sharp-shinned Hawks build nests in the forks of trees using sticks and twigs. The female lays a clutch of three to five eggs, which she incubates for about 30 to 35 days. Both parents share the responsibility of incubation and raising the young. The chicks fledge at around four to five weeks old and become independent a few weeks later.
Cooper’s Hawk
Description
Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized hawks with a length of about 14 to 20 inches and a wingspan of around two to three feet. They have a dark gray to black back, a whitish underbelly with reddish bars, and red eyes. Adult males are smaller than females. They have a rounded tail with dark bands.
Habitat
Cooper’s Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and suburban areas with mature trees. They prefer areas with dense cover, where they can hide and ambush their prey. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in both rural and urban environments.
Behavior
Cooper’s Hawks are skilled fliers and are known for their maneuverability through dense vegetation. They use their long tails to help them navigate tight spaces. They are often seen perched quietly, observing their surroundings. They have excellent eyesight and can spot their prey from a distance.
Diet
Cooper’s Hawks primarily feed on medium-sized birds, such as doves, pigeons, and smaller species of songbirds. They are known for their speed and agility when hunting. They will swoop down from a concealed perch and surprise their prey, catching them in mid-air.
Threats
Cooper’s Hawks can pose a threat to bird feeders and rehabilitators. They are skilled hunters and may target smaller birds that frequent bird feeders. In some cases, they may also become injured and require rehabilitation if they collide with windows or other structures while chasing their prey.
Northern Goshawk
Description
The Northern Goshawk is a large hawk, with females measuring up to 22 inches in length and having a wingspan of more than three feet. They have a stocky build, with broad wings and short tails. Adult Northern Goshawks are mostly gray with white stripes over their eyes. The juveniles have brown plumage with white spots.
Habitat
Northern Goshawks prefer dense forests, particularly those dominated by coniferous trees. They can be found in various forested habitats, including mature and old-growth forests. They require large areas of contiguous habitat to locate their prey.
Behavior
Northern Goshawks are powerful and secretive predators. They are known for their stealthy hunting style, stalking prey from perches or flying low through the forest. They have excellent flying skills and can maneuver easily through dense vegetation. They are also highly territorial and will defend their nesting areas aggressively.
Diet
The diet of the Northern Goshawk primarily consists of medium-sized birds, such as grouse, pigeons, and crows. They are opportunistic hunters and will also prey on small mammals, including squirrels and rabbits. They catch their prey with their sharp talons and dispatch it quickly with their powerful beaks.
Conservation Status
The Northern Goshawk is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, they are sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation. Maintaining large, intact forested areas is crucial for their long-term survival. Efforts to conserve and protect their habitat can help ensure their continued presence in Iowa.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Description
The Red-Shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized hawk with a length of around 16 to 24 inches and a wingspan of about three feet. They have a reddish underbelly with barred wings and a distinct reddish shoulder patch. Their back is dark brown, and they have a pale throat and face. Their eyes are bright yellow.
Habitat
Red-Shouldered Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and woodlands to swamps and wetlands. They prefer areas with mature trees and dense vegetation, where they can build their nests and find ample prey.
Behavior
Red-Shouldered Hawks are often seen perched on high branches or scanning for prey from mid-air. They have keen eyesight and can detect slight movements of their prey below. They are vocal birds and can emit a distinctive call, described as a high-pitched, descending whistle.
Geographic Distribution
Red-Shouldered Hawks can be found throughout the eastern United States and along the western border of Iowa. They are more commonly found in the southeastern parts of Iowa and are less abundant in the northern regions of the state.
Diet
Red-Shouldered Hawks primarily feed on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and large insects. They are known for their ability to catch snakes and are considered beneficial to agricultural areas. They will also consume birds, particularly those that are smaller in size.
Broad-winged Hawk
Description
The Broad-winged Hawk is a medium-sized hawk, with adults measuring about 14 to 17 inches in length and having a wingspan of around two to three feet. They have broad wings and a long, square-tipped tail. They are generally brown in color with a pale underbelly. They have a distinctive black-and-white tail pattern.
Habitat
Broad-winged Hawks can be found in various forested habitats, including deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, and forest edges. They prefer nesting in secluded areas with dense vegetation, often near bodies of water.
Behavior
Broad-winged Hawks are highly migratory birds and can be seen in Iowa during their breeding season. They are social birds and often gather in large groups called “kettles” during migration. They soar on thermal currents and use updrafts to conserve energy during their long journeys.
Breeding
Broad-winged Hawks build their nests on tree branches using sticks and twigs. The female lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about 28 to 32 days. Both parents are involved in raising the young, providing food and protection until they fledge around five to six weeks old.
Migration
Broad-winged Hawks undertake long-distance migration journeys from their breeding grounds in North America to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. They are known for their mass migrations, where thousands of hawks can be seen in the sky during the fall season as they pass through Iowa. They return to their breeding grounds in the spring.
Swainson’s Hawk
Description
Swainson’s Hawks are large hawks, with adults measuring about 18 to 22 inches in length and having a wingspan of around four to five feet. They have broad, rounded wings and a long tail. They are generally brown in color with a whitish underbelly. They have a dark band across their chest and distinctive white patches on their rump.
Habitat
Swainson’s Hawks can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, prairies, and open plains. They prefer nesting in large trees or on cliffs, which provide them with a good vantage point to spot prey.
Behavior
Swainson’s Hawks are skilled fliers and are known for their impressive soaring abilities. They spend a lot of their time in flight, using thermal currents to stay aloft without flapping their wings. They have a wide field of vision, which allows them to scan large areas for prey below.
Breeding
Swainson’s Hawks breed in the northwestern parts of the United States and Canada. They build their nests on tree branches, typically in secluded locations. The female lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which she incubates for about 30 to 35 days. Both parents participate in providing food and protection for the young until they fledge at around six to seven weeks old.
Migration
Swainson’s Hawks can be found in the northwestern border of Iowa during their breeding season. They undertake long-distance migration journeys, traveling thousands of miles to their wintering grounds in South America. They can be seen in large flocks during their fall migration as they pass through Iowa on their way south.
Rough-legged Hawk
Description
The Rough-legged Hawk is a large hawk, with adults measuring about 18 to 24 inches in length and having a wingspan of around four to five feet. They have broad wings and a long tail. They are mostly dark brown in color, with a reddish-brown head and white underparts. They have feathered legs, which provide insulation in their cold northern habitats.
Habitat
Rough-legged Hawks can be seen all across Iowa during their non-breeding season. They prefer open habitats, such as grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields. They are adapted to colder climates and can withstand harsh winter conditions.
Behavior
Rough-legged Hawks are often seen perched on utility poles or hovering in mid-air while hunting. They have excellent vision and can spot small mammals, such as voles, mice, and rabbits, from high vantage points. They are highly territorial and will defend their hunting territories fiercely.
Breeding
Rough-legged Hawks breed in the Arctic tundra of northern North America. They build their nests on cliffs or on the ground, using sticks, grass, and other plant materials. The female lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about 31 to 34 days. The chicks fledge at around six to seven weeks old and become independent shortly after.
Migration
Rough-legged Hawks are migratory birds, traveling long distances from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds in more southern regions of North America. They can be seen in large numbers during their non-breeding season in Iowa, as they search for food and suitable wintering habitats.