Types of Hawks in Wisconsin - Happiestbeaks

Wisconsin is home to several species of hawks, including the Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Rough-legged Hawk. The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common and recognizable hawks in Wisconsin, known for its broad wings and characteristic red tail.

Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks are smaller, agile birds of prey often found in wooded areas where they hunt small birds. Broad-winged Hawks prefer forested habitats and are known for their distinctive call during the breeding season.

Northern Harriers are typically found in marshes and open areas, where they hunt rodents and small mammals. Rough-legged Hawks, distinguished by their feathered legs, are winter visitors to Wisconsin, often seen in open fields and marshes.

10 Types of Hawks in Wisconsin

Red-tailed Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis

Weight: The weight of a Red-tailed Hawk typically ranges between 1.5 to 3.5 pounds (680 to 1587 grams).

Lifespan: The average lifespan of a Red-tailed Hawk in the wild is around 10-20 years, while in captivity they can live up to 25 years or more.

The Red-tailed Hawk, scientifically known as Buteo jamaicensis, is one of the most widespread and recognizable raptors in North America. Named for its brick-red tail, this bird of prey is a powerful hunter, often seen soaring high above open landscapes in search of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

With a wingspan of up to four feet, the Red-tailed Hawk is known for its keen eyesight and sharp talons, which it uses to catch and kill prey swiftly. Despite facing threats such as habitat loss and collisions with vehicles, the Red-tailed Hawk remains a resilient and adaptable species, thriving in a variety of environments across its range.

Cooper's Hawk

Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii.

Weight: The weight of a Cooper's Hawk typically ranges from about 220 to 330 grams (7.8 to 11.6 ounces).

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Cooper's Hawk in the wild is typically around 7 to 12 years. However, some individuals may live longer, especially in captivity, where they can survive for up to 20 years or more with proper care.

The Cooper's Hawk, scientifically known as Accipiter cooperii, is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. Named after the naturalist William Cooper, this hawk is known for its slender build, long tail, and rounded wings.

With its distinctive plumage featuring a bluish-gray back and reddish bars on the chest, the Cooper's Hawk is often seen darting through dense woodlands and suburban areas in pursuit of small birds and mammals. Despite being agile hunters, Cooper's Hawks face threats such as habitat loss and pesticide exposure, leading to population declines in some regions.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Scientific Name: Accipiter striatus.

Weight: The weight of a Sharp-shinned Hawk typically ranges from about 87 to 140 grams (3.1 to 4.9 ounces).

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Broad-winged Hawk in the wild is typically around 4 to 5 years. However, in captivity, they can live longer, potentially up to 10 years or more with proper care.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk, scientifically known as Accipiter striatus, is a small bird of prey found across North America. Recognizable by its short wings and long tail, this hawk species is an agile hunter, preying primarily on small birds and occasionally small mammals.

With its distinctive slate-gray back and barred underparts, the Sharp-shinned Hawk blends seamlessly into wooded habitats where it can be found perched in wait or swiftly maneuvering through dense foliage in pursuit of prey. Like many raptors, Sharp-shinned Hawks face threats such as habitat loss and collisions with human structures, prompting conservation efforts aimed at preserving their forested habitats and mitigating human impacts on their populations.

Broad-winged Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus.

Weight: The weight of a Broad-winged Hawk typically ranges from about 265 to 560 grams (9.3 to 19.8 ounces).

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Broad-winged Hawk in the wild is typically around 4 to 5 years, but they can live longer in captivity, potentially up to 10 years or more with proper care.

The Broad-winged Hawk, scientifically named Buteo platypterus, is a medium-sized bird of prey found in the Americas. It is recognized for its broad wings and short, broad tail. Typically, these hawks inhabit forests and wooded areas, where they hunt small mammals, amphibians, and insects. During the breeding season, Broad-winged Hawks build nests in trees, using sticks and twigs.

They are known for their distinctive high-pitched call, often heard during courtship displays and territorial communication. While Broad-winged Hawks are not considered globally threatened, they face challenges such as habitat loss and pesticide exposure, which can impact their populations.

Northern Goshawk

Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis.

Weight: The weight of a Northern Goshawk typically ranges from about 630 to 1,300 grams (1.4 to 2.9 pounds), with females being larger and heavier than males.

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Northern Goshawk in the wild is typically around 7 to 12 years. However, some individuals have been known to live up to 20 years or more in captivity with proper care.

The Northern Goshawk, scientifically known as Accipiter gentilis, is a powerful and agile bird of prey found across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is renowned for its striking appearance, featuring a slate-grey body, bold white eyebrow stripe, and fierce yellow eyes.

Goshawks primarily inhabit forests, where they hunt birds and small mammals with remarkable speed and precision. They are known for their stealthy hunting techniques, often ambushing prey from concealed perches. During the breeding season, Northern Goshawks construct nests using sticks and twigs in the dense canopy of trees.

While not globally threatened, habitat loss and human disturbances pose significant challenges to their populations. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving their forest habitats are crucial for ensuring the continued survival of this magnificent raptor species.

Swainson's Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo swainsoni.

Weight: The weight of a Swainson's Hawk typically ranges from about 680 to 1,200 grams (1.5 to 2.6 pounds), with variations based on age, sex, and geographical location.

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Swainson's Hawk in the wild is typically around 10 to 15 years. However, they can potentially live longer, up to 20 years or more in captivity with proper care.

Swainson's Hawk, scientifically named Buteo swainsoni, is a medium-sized bird of prey commonly found in North and South America. Recognizable by its distinctive plumage, featuring a dark brown back and wings contrasted with a light-coloured breast and belly, Swainson's Hawks are adept hunters of small mammals, reptiles, and insects.

They are known for their long-distance migrations, with populations breeding in North America and wintering in South America. During migration, they form large flocks known as kettles, which can consist of hundreds or even thousands of individuals.

Swainson's Hawks typically nest in tall trees or on human-made structures such as power poles. While not considered globally threatened, habitat loss and pesticide exposure pose significant challenges to their populations, particularly during migration.

Rough-legged Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo lagopus.

Weight: The weight of a Rough-legged Hawk typically ranges from about 600 to 1,350 grams (1.3 to 3 pounds), with females being slightly larger and heavier than males.

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Rough-legged Hawk in the wild is typically around 10 to 15 years. However, in captivity, they may live longer, potentially reaching up to 20 years or more with proper care.

The Rough-legged Hawk, scientifically known as Buteo lagopus, is a large raptor species found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the Arctic and Subarctic regions. Named for its feathered legs that extend down to its feet, this hawk is adapted for life in cold climates.

Its plumage varies, but it typically exhibits a mixture of light and dark colours, with dark patches on its underwings and a light-coloured tail. Rough-legged Hawks primarily hunt small mammals such as rodents, using their keen eyesight to spot prey from high perches or while soaring in the air.

During the breeding season, they nest on cliffs or rocky outcrops, often in remote areas. Despite facing threats such as habitat loss and pesticide contamination, Rough-legged Hawk populations remain stable overall, benefiting from protective measures in some regions.

Northern Harrier

Scientific Name: Circus hudsonius.

Weight: The weight of a Northern Harrier typically ranges from about 300 to 530 grams (10.6 to 18.7 ounces) for males and 400 to 730 grams (14.1 to 25.7 ounces) for females.

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Northern Harrier in the wild is typically around 8 to 10 years. However, with proper care, they may live longer in captivity, potentially up to 15 years or more.

The Northern Harrier, scientifically known as Circus hudsonius, is a medium-sized raptor found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Recognized for its distinctive hunting behaviour, this bird of prey is known to glide low over open fields and marshes, using its keen eyesight and hearing to detect small mammals, birds, and insects.

With a slim body, long wings, and a long tail, Northern Harriers have an aerodynamic shape that aids in their agile flight. Their plumage is predominantly brown, with males exhibiting grey upperparts and females displaying a mottled brown pattern.

Northern Harriers breed in open habitats, building nests on the ground or in low vegetation. While they face threats such as habitat loss and pesticide use, conservation efforts aim to preserve their populations and habitats.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus.

Weight: The weight of a Red-shouldered Hawk typically ranges from about 550 to 800 grams (1.2 to 1.8 pounds).

Lifespan: The lifespan of a Red-shouldered Hawk in the wild is typically around 10 to 15 years. However, they can potentially live longer, up to 20 years or more in captivity with proper care.

The Red-shouldered Hawk, scientifically named Buteo lineatus, is a medium-sized bird of prey native to North America. This hawk is renowned for its distinctive red-brown shoulders and underparts, contrasting with its barred black-and-white tail and wings.

With a wingspan of around 37 to 43 inches, the Red-shouldered Hawk is known for its piercing call and territorial behaviour, often found in forests, woodlands, and wooded wetlands. It primarily feeds on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally birds. This species nests in tall trees, constructing stick nests lined with softer materials like moss and leaves. Threats to the Red-shouldered Hawk include habitat loss, pesticide use, and collisions with vehicles.

American Kestrel

Scientific Name: Falco sparverius.

Weight: The weight of an American Kestrel typically ranges from about 80 to 165 grams (2.8 to 5.8 ounces).

Lifespan: The lifespan of an American Kestrel in the wild is typically around 5 to 10 years. However, they can potentially live longer, up to 15 years or more in captivity with proper care.

The American Kestrel, scientifically known as Falco sparverius, is the smallest falcon species in North America. This bird of prey is recognized for its colourful plumage, with males displaying blue-grey wings and rusty-red backs, while females have reddish-brown wings and tails. The American Kestrel is often found in open habitats such as grasslands, fields, meadows, and agricultural areas across the continent.

With a wingspan of around 20 to 24 inches, it preys on insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles, often hunting from perches or while hovering in the air. Their populations face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and competition for nesting sites. Conservation efforts focus on providing suitable nesting structures and preserving their habitats to maintain healthy populations.

Final Words

In conclusion, hawks are remarkable birds of prey that play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance. From the majestic Red-tailed Hawk to the agile American Kestrel, each species contributes to controlling pest populations and shaping the dynamics of their habitats.

Understanding their behaviours, habitats, and conservation needs is essential for ensuring their continued existence in the wild. As guardians of our skies, hawks inspire awe and admiration, reminding us of the intricate interconnectedness of nature. Let us continue to appreciate and protect these magnificent raptors for future generations to marvel at and cherish.