FaunaHub

Hawk

BirdRaptorWild

A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) perched, showing a hooked bill and barred plumage.

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

Image: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

"Hawk" is a common name for many diurnal birds of prey, most in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles and kites. This page is a group-level overview; the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), one of the most familiar North American raptors, is used as a reference. Hawks are skilled hunters with keen eyesight, hooked bills, and strong, taloned feet.

Habitat & Range

Hawks occupy a wide range of habitats — forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, mountains, and increasingly towns and cities — across most of the world. Many use open country and woodland edges where they can hunt, and they are often seen perched prominently or soaring. Habitat and range vary widely among the many hawk species.

Diet

Hawks are carnivorous predators. Diet varies by species and size but commonly includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, and large insects. Larger hawks such as the red-tailed hawk take prey up to the size of rabbits, while smaller hawks specialise in birds or insects. They hunt from perches or on the wing; this page describes general feeding ecology.

Behavior

Hawks rely on exceptional vision to detect prey, then strike with their talons. Some soar on rising air to scan large areas, while woodland hawks use short, agile flights to ambush prey among trees. Many are migratory, and large numbers of some species pass along recognised migration routes each year. Hawks often hold territories and may perform aerial displays. Behaviour varies by species.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Hawks are wild birds of prey, not pets, and are protected by wildlife law in many countries. Some species declined historically from persecution and pesticides and have recovered with protection, while others remain under pressure; conservation status varies by species and should be checked against current sources. Do not disturb nests, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local authority for an injured raptor rather than handling it.

Appearance & Recognition

Hawks have hooked bills, powerful taloned feet, and forward-facing eyes for sharp binocular vision. The red-tailed hawk is a large, broad-winged buteo, typically brown above and pale below, with the rusty-red tail of adults a key field mark. Hawks vary widely: broad-winged soaring buteos differ from the shorter-winged, long-tailed woodland hawks (accipiters). Shape, size, and flight style help distinguish them from eagles and falcons.

Similar Animals

Hawks belong mostly to the family Accipitridae, alongside the eagles covered separately on FaunaHub. Falcons (including the falcon profiled on the site) look similar but are in a different family and have pointed wings and a distinctive killing technique. Owls are unrelated nocturnal raptors.

Birdwatching hub →If you find an injured bird →

More photos of the hawk

A red-tailed hawk perched, looking to the side.

A red-tailed hawk.

Image: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Hawk

What is the difference between a hawk and an eagle?
Hawks and eagles are related birds of prey, but eagles are generally larger and more powerful, with bigger bills and feet. The line between them is partly one of common usage rather than strict biology. FaunaHub covers the eagle separately.
What is the difference between a hawk and a falcon?
Hawks (family Accipitridae) and falcons (family Falconidae) are different families. Falcons typically have pointed wings and kill with a notched bill, while many hawks have broader wings and kill with their talons. They are not closely related despite both being raptors.
What should I do if I find an injured hawk?
Do not handle it. Birds of prey have powerful talons and can be dangerous, and they need specialist care. Keep your distance, keep people and pets away, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local wildlife authority for guidance.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.