Florida is a heaven for birdwatchers , offering the perfect setting to mention some of the most impressive raptors in North America . With its mix of wetland , forest , coastal plains , and undefended fields , the country support an unbelievable diverseness of wildlife . Among the standout species soaring through its sky are the many types ofhawks in Florida .
This article introduces 18 noteworthy species ofhawks in Florida , set out from widespread year - bout residents to rare migratory visitors . Each shuttle is delineate in detail , with identification backsheesh , behavioral notes , habitat preferences , and seasonal bearing to help oneself you spot them in the state of nature . sensational images are also included to make recognition even easier .
explore the differenthawks in Floridaprovides a deep appreciation for the state ’s rude beauty and avian biodiversity . These abrupt - eyed hunters play vital roles in the ecosystem , and determine about them can be both educational and inspiring for anyone interested in wildlife and conservation .
Different Types of Hawks in Florida
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
The Broad - wing Hawk is a compact raptorial bird with a poor , stocky soma and broad , rounded wings . It has a brown back , white underparts with horizontal brown barring , and a distinct dark - and - white ring tail . This war hawk is smaller than most Buteo hawk but still herculean and agile in flight .
In Florida , the Broad - winged Hawk is typically assure during migration , especially in the spring and twilight . It nests in the northeastern United States and Canada but passes through Florida on its way to and from its wintering grounds in Central and South America . During migration , it can be see in large groups love as “ kettles , ” circling high on thermal currents .
Its diet include small mammals , amphibious aircraft , insects , and occasionally birds . These hawk prefer forested habitats and are often close during the breeding season , making them harder to detect outside of migration . A absorbing fact : during migration , some Broad - winged Hawks travel over 4,000 miles , wee-wee one of the longest migration among raptorial bird in North America .
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
The Short - track Hawk is a rare and intriguing raptor found principally in central and southern Florida . It has a notably unretentive bum , retentive pointed wings , and comes in two distinct colouration morphs : a light morph with a white underbelly and a dark morph with an almost entirely black dead body . This hawk is average - sized and agile , often confused with other raptors due to its variable appearance .
This coinage is one of the few hawks that breed in Florida , peculiarly in wooded areas near clear space . It is most ordinarily seen soar high over the Everglades , pine flatwoods , and farming lands . Its range within the United States is very limited , making Florida a decisive area for its presence .
Short - tailed Hawks in the main prey on modest razz , often get them in mid - air using quick and acrobatic flights . They are sleep together for soar at great acme and diving event speedily to snatch their target . A fun fact : the dark morph of this hawk is far more common in Florida than in its tropical reach , making it a unique regional phenomenon .
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red - bob Hawk is one of the most widespread and recognizable hawks in North America . It is with child , with a broad , rounded wingspan and a distinctive scarlet - brown tail that launch the species its name . Adults typically have a pale dresser and a dark band across the belly , while their sharp middle and control mien make them easy to espy when perched or soaring .
In Florida , Red - go after Hawks are year - circle residents and are usually discover in open habitats such as fields , marsh edge , pine forests , and along roadsides . They are extremely adaptable and often take advantage of manmade structure like telephone pole or fence posts for perching and hunt . Their presence is specially detectable during cooler months when they become more dynamic and seeable .
These hawks feed primarily on small to average - sized mammal such as rabbits , squirrels , and rodents , but they will also eat birds and reptile when available . Red - go after Hawks are known for their piercing scream , often used in movies to represent any raptor call . A fun fact : they are one of the few raptors that frequently copulate for aliveness and return to the same nesting area year after year .
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The Red - shoulder Hawk is a strikingbird of prey , easily key out by its blood-red shoulder , black - and - livid checkered fender , and orange - brown underparts . Its loud , distinctive call – a piercing “ kee - ah ” – is often heard before the hiss is even seen , especially during the rearing season .
This species is a year - round resident throughout Florida and is commonly found in forested areas , peculiarly near piddle reference like swamps , rivers , and marshland . It favour dense hardwood timber and cypress stick out and is often seen perched quietly on low branches , skim for prey .
Red - shouldered Hawks provender on a variety of animals include frogs , snake in the grass , small mammals , and large insects . They are have it away for their territorial behavior and often return to the same nest land site each year . A fun fact : this species is one of the most vocal of all North American hawks , and its call is often used in film and TV shows to represent “ wilderness ” sound .
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Cooper ’s Hawk is a medium - sized genus Accipiter with a sleek body , round tail , and forgetful , broad wings . adult have a steely blue - grey-headed back , reddish blackball on the chest , and bright red eye , give them a fierce appearance . Juveniles are brown with erect streaks on the chest and have jaundiced eyes .
In Florida , Cooper ’s Hawks are class - round residents and are often regain in wooded areas , suburbs , and even city parks . They are nimble flier , subject of weaving chop-chop through obtuse trees while pursuing prey . Their secretive nature often arrive at them hard to spot , but they are increasingly adapting to human - altered environment .
Their primary solid food source is little to medium - sized razzing , which they catch in fleet , surprise attacks . They will also eat rodents and reptiles when birds are less available . A fun fact : Cooper ’s Hawks are known for their in high spirits - swiftness ethereal pursuits and are considered one of the most skilled bird - hunt hawks in North America .
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The Sharp - shinned Hawk is the small hawk in North America , with male person being about the size of a John Jay . It has little , rounded wings and a tenacious , narrow shadow with square - off tips . Adults feature a bluish - gray back , reddish barring on the dresser , and yellow legs , while juveniles display brown streak and a more subdued visual aspect .
In Florida , Sharp - shinned Hawks are most normally realise during migration in the spring and fall , though some may winter in the commonwealth . They opt dense forests and wooded edge where they can maneuver chop-chop between trees . These hawks are furtive and knotty , making them harder to observe unless they are soaring or actively hunting .
Their elementary prey consists of pocket-sized birds , such as hedge sparrow and warbler , which they capture with sudden volley of speed . They are nimble flyer , often surprise their prey with lightning - quick strikes . A fun fact : despite their small size , Sharp - struggle Hawks are bold hunters and have even been known to go after prey larger than themselves .
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
The Northern Harrier is a svelte , intermediate - sized raptor known for its owl - like facial magnetic disc and low gliding flight . male person are pallid gray-headed with blackwingtips , while females are brown with streaky underparts . Both sex have a distinct white rump temporary hookup that makes them easy to describe from behind .
In Florida , Northern Harriers are winter visitors , typically find out from former fall through other outpouring . They favor open habitat such as marshes , prairies , and grassy fields , where they fly low over the undercoat in search of fair game . Their unequalled hunting style involves coursing close to the ground and using their piercing earshot as well as pot to locate food .
Their dieting includes small mammalian , birds , and amphibians , especially vole and computer mouse . Unlike most hawks , Northern Harriers rely intemperately on audile clue , much like owls . A fun fact : they are the only harrier species find in North America and are sometimes called “ marsh hawk ” because of their unassailable connection with wetlands .
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Swainson ’s Hawk is a elegant , long - fly raptor known for its slight frame and pointed wingtips . Adults typically have a swooning - color underside with a contrasting obscure bib on the breast , and some person may appear closely all dreary . This hawk is build up for farsighted - aloofness flight and is often seen soar on thermals .
In Florida , Swainson ’s Hawks are considered rarefied but steady migrants , most potential to be spotted during bound and fall migration . They generally slip away through undefendable areas such as fields and forage on their direction between their breeding ground in the westerly U.S. and their wintering grounds in South America . Their presence is more common in the Panhandle and key parts of the state .
Swainson ’s Hawks provender primarily on louse like grasshopper and dragonflies during migration , but they also hunt gnawer and small birds . One merriment fact : this species is know for its astonishing migration journey , locomote up to 14,000 mile round misstep each class — one of the longest migrations of any raptor in the Western Hemisphere .
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus)
The Zone - tailed Hawk is a strikingblack raptor with bold whitebands across its tail . It has long , narrow extension and a flight style that closely resembles that of the Turkey Vulture . This apery tolerate it to conflate in with vultures as it searches for unsuspecting prey from above .
This specie is very rarified in Florida , typically considered an occasional or inadvertent visitant . When spotted , it is most often during springiness migration or in the uttermost southern parts of the State Department . Its preferable home ground includes arid canyons and mountainous regions in the western U.S. , but it at times strays eastwards .
Zone - tailed Hawks prey on modest mammals , birds , and reptiles , often using surprise attacks while glide low or drop suddenly from the sky . A fun fact : their resemblance to vultures facilitate them annul detection by prey , making them good stealth hunters . Their dark feather and unique flight behavior make any Florida sighting a particular event for birdwatchers .
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
The Rough - legged Hawk is a large , broad - winged hawk known for its feathered legs that stretch all the way to the toes — a unique trait among American bird of prey . It has a varying appearance but is in general unclouded underneath with a saturnine stomach ring and glowering patches at the wrist of the wing . It can also occur in a dark morph that appear chocolate - Robert Brown .
This metal money breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates south during winter . In Florida , Rough - legged Hawks are considered rarefied wintertime visitant , most likely seen in opened fields and tilled land in the northerly parts of the state . Their presence is highly irregular and usually tied to abrasive wintertime farther north that fight them beyond their normal range .
rocky - legged Hawks provender on small mammalian , especially voles , lemmings , and mice . They often loom in blank space while scan the earth , a behaviour more typical of Falco tinnunculus than big hawk . A fun fact : they are one of the few war hawk species that expose loom flight and are particularly adapted to moth-eaten environment with hard feather legs for insulation .
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest mortarboard in North America , with a wingspan reach up to 56 inch . It has a pale head , rufous - colored legs , and large , broad wings . The light morph has a blanched underbelly with reddish - brown markings , while the dark-skinned morph is chocolate brown overall with light trajectory feathers .
This specie is native to the open field and comeupance of the western United States and Canada . In Florida , it is a very rare visitant , typically spotted only during winter months and primarily in the Panhandle or other open , agrarian realm . Its visual aspect in the state is considered inadvertent or irregular .
Ferruginous Hawks feed principally on small mammals such as reason squirrels , prairie dogs , and coney . They often perch on high vantage point or soar upwards over undefendable solid ground to hunt . A fun fact : their name “ ferruginous ” pertain to the rust - colored feather on their legs and back , consecrate them a distinctive tone among Buteos .
Harlan’s Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani)
Harlan ’s Hawk is a sour - colour subspecies of the Red - chase Hawk . It exhibits a all-inclusive range of plumage fluctuation but is generally blue than other Red - tailed Hawks , often appearing nearly black or dappled grey and lily-white . It continue the classic broad wing and short , ruby-red - distort tail characteristic of its species .
Although native to Alaska and northwestern Canada , Harlan ’s Hawk migrates in the south in wintertime , and very occasionally , individual make their direction into Florida . These sighting are rare and usually limited to the northern part of the province during moth-eaten months . They tend to inhabit open field and woodland edges , similar to other Red - bob Hawks .
Like its relation , Harlan ’s Hawk quarry on gnawer , bird , and reptilian , often hunt from perches or while soaring . A fun fact : it was once considered a separate metal money due to its dramatic appearing but is now sort out as a Red - tag Hawk subspecies . birder thirstily watch for Harlan ’s Hawks during hawk migration time of year because of their striking looks .
Great Black Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga)
The Great Black Hawk is a declamatory tropic raptor with glossy black plumage , broad wings , and a farseeing tail punctuate by a unmarried white ring . It resemble the Common Black Hawk but is notably larger and less frequently seen in the U.S. Its powerful beak and legs give it an imposing presence .
This coinage is typically found in Central and South America , where it dwell tropical forests , mangrove , and river vale . In Florida , the Great Black Hawk is an uttermost rarity , with only one confirmed somebody document in 2018–2019 in the northern part of the state . That fowl generated national attention among birder and was sadly later found injured and euthanized .
Great Black Hawks provender on reptiles , amphibians , fish , and modest mammal , often scrounge along riverbanks and coastal areas . A bewitching fact : the 2018 sighting in Florida marked the first fourth dimension this coinage was confirmed in the continental U.S. , have it one of the most over-the-top avian vagrants in recent memory .
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
The Common Black Hawk is a striking bird of prey with morose opprobrious plumage and a bold white band across its shortsighted , broad tail . Its appearance is thick , and it has wide wing conform for zoom inhumid environments . The bird ’s call is a richly - pitched , whistle cry , often heard during territorial displays .
This species is primarily found in the southwesterly United States , Mexico , and Central America , where it live riparian zone and forested waterways . Though passing rarefied in Florida , there have been a few documented sighting , typically near coastal wetland or river systems . These are considered vagrant someone that have wander far from their typical range .
Common Black Hawks feed on amphibians , reptile , fish , and small mammalian . They often perch silently near water sources , waiting to ambush quarry . A fun fact : juveniles are intemperately streaked and resemble unfledged Red - shouldered Hawks , making identification challenging for birder unfamiliar with their elusive differences .
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens)
The Crane Hawk is a silken and slender raptor known for its long legs and unparalleled foraging proficiency . Its trunk is dark gray with a sick hindquarters and a broad tail with ashen bands . One of its most classifiable features is its long , flexible legs , which grant it to reach into tree diagram cavities and bromeliads to draw out prey .
Although aboriginal to Central and South America , the Crane Hawk has been put down on uncommon occasions in southerly Florida , peculiarly within the Everglades and other wetland preserves . These sighting are olympian and belike involve birds dismiss by weather or ecological insistency .
Crane Hawks provender on insects , small reptilian , amphibians , and hiss nestlings . They are highly adaptable hunting watch that move methodically through woods canopies . A fascinating conduct : they can double - articulate their legs to probe into cockeyed cranny , a rare trait among bird of prey .
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
The Gray Hawk is a intermediate - sized raptor with abstemious grayish plumage , finely barred underpart , and a tail marked with all-embracing white and black band . Its little , rounded question and poor tail end give it a compact appearing , while its gaudy , descending whistle is often hear before the razz is watch .
unremarkably find in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico , the Gray Hawk dwell riparian woodlands and lowland valley . In Florida , it is a very rare visitor , most in all probability see during migration periods or as an inadvertent vagrant . Sightings are typically limited to southerly part of the state .
Gray Hawks in the first place prey on lizard and small-scale birds , scanning from perches before swoop up down fleetly to catch prey . A fun fact : during multiply season , these hawk do airy courtship displays , include soaring and call , often in duo .
Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
The Harris ’s Hawk is a striking bird with dark dark-brown feather , red - brown shoulder and thighs , and a ashen - tipped nates . It has foresighted legs and a broad wingspan , yield it a brawny , agile flight style . Its alert chickenhearted eyes and facial skin are also classifiable features .
Although this specie naturally come in the deserts and scrubland of the southwest U.S. and Latin America , a few someone have been spotted in Florida . These are often escapees from falconry or breeding programs , but occasionally , waste birds may wander far from their normal stove .
Harris ’s Hawks are famous for their societal demeanor — they run in accommodative groups , using teamwork to crimson and trap quarry like rabbits and quail . This social strategy is passing rare among bird of prey . A fun fact : their group dynamics resemble those of wolf packs , with someone taking turns in roles during a hunt .
White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
The White - tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey with a light gray upper body , white underpart , and a distinctive white derriere punctuate by a bold black subterminal band . It has long , broad wings and a regal flight posture , often soaring high in receptive skies .
Native to southern Texas , Central America , and parts of South America , the White - tailed Hawk is rarely observed in Florida . When it does seem , it is typically as a wanderer or possible vagrant , particularly during the fall or winter months . sighting are most probable in assailable , dry grassland or coastal prairies .
This hawk eat on small mammalian , reptilian , birds , and large insects . It hunts by soaring over open areas or from elevated perches . A fun fact : unlike many hawk , it sometimes feed on carrion and is known to visit recently burned fields to catch fleeing quarry .
