Utah’s huge skies, rugged canyons, and sweeping open lands make it an ideal place to identify birds of prey—particularly hawks. As somebody who spends numerous hours climbing, exploring distant trails, and birdwatching with binoculars in hand, I’ve come to deeply respect the unbelievable number of hawks in Utah. Every sighting seems like a small reward from nature, whether or not it’s a hovering Purple-tailed Hawk or a Northern Harrier gliding low over the grass.
The state is residence to a stunning variety of hawk species—some are year-round residents, others go to seasonally, and some seem solely hardly ever throughout migration. No matter when or the place you go birding, there’s at all times an opportunity of recognizing one in every of these spectacular raptors. The variety of hawks in Utah displays the big selection of habitats right here, from desert flats to alpine forests.
On this information, I’ll stroll you thru 14 totally different hawks in Utah, full with footage and identification ideas based mostly on my private observations and analysis. This text is for anybody who enjoys being open air, being attentive to the sky, and discovering the presence of those highly effective and engaging birds within the wild.
Frequent and Recurrently Noticed Hawks in Utah
Purple-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Purple-tailed Hawk is among the most widespread and simply acknowledged raptors in North America. In Utah, it’s the mostly noticed hawk all year long. It options broad, rounded wings and a brief, extensive tail that’s typically a wealthy, brick-red shade in adults—therefore its title.
Adults usually have a pale underside with a darkish stomach band and a streaked look. Juveniles lack the signature pink tail and as an alternative show extra brownish-gray plumage. This species might be seen hovering above open fields, perched alongside highways, or circling excessive in thermals. Their loud, raspy scream is commonly utilized in motion pictures as a generic “eagle” sound.
Purple-tailed Hawks are current in Utah year-round, making them a well-known sight in each rural and suburban landscapes. A enjoyable truth about them is that they typically kind monogamous pairs and return to the identical nesting websites for a number of years, including to their long-term presence in a given space.
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized raptor identified for its fierce looking expertise and stealthy actions via wooded areas. In Utah, this hawk is frequent in forests and suburban neighborhoods, the place it adapts effectively to human presence and preys on smaller birds close to yard feeders.
It may be recognized by its blue-gray again, reddish-barred chest, and rounded tail with darkish bands. In comparison with comparable species just like the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk has a bigger head that initiatives effectively past its wings in flight. Their flight is characterised by a number of fast wingbeats adopted by a brief glide.
Cooper’s Hawks are seen in Utah all year long, although they’re most continuously noticed throughout migration and breeding seasons. Apparently, this species is understood for being extremely agile, able to chasing prey via dense branches and timber with unbelievable pace and precision.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The Sharp-shinned Hawk holds the title of the smallest hawk species in North America. It’s a secretive and quick-moving predator that always zips via forests and backyards in pursuit of songbirds. In Utah, it’s usually noticed throughout migration seasons or winter months.
Adults have a bluish-gray again, orange barring on the chest, and a squared-off tail with a slender white tip. They are often difficult to tell apart from Cooper’s Hawks, although Sharp-shinned Hawks have smaller heads and thinner legs. Their flight is quick and low, typically with a collection of fast wingbeats adopted by a glide.
Sharp-shinned Hawks are generally seen in Utah throughout fall and spring migration as they move via the state on their approach to breeding or wintering grounds. A outstanding truth is that regardless of their tiny dimension, these hawks can take down prey practically their very own dimension due to their pace and sharp talons.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus)
The Northern Goshawk is a big and highly effective raptor that prefers distant mountain forests, making it a rarer sight in Utah. This elusive species is the most important of the Accipiters and is often noticed within the increased elevations of the Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges.
It incorporates a slate-gray again, pale underparts with high quality barring, and a daring white eyebrow stripe above its piercing pink eyes. Its dimension and power enable it to take down comparatively massive prey, together with rabbits, squirrels, and even different birds. The goshawk’s strong construct and broad wings make it well-suited for maneuvering via dense forests.
Northern Goshawks are often seen in Utah throughout the breeding season in alpine or mature conifer forests. They’re identified for being fiercely territorial and can aggressively defend their nests, even towards people. In medieval instances, goshawks had been extremely prized in falconry for his or her power and looking capacity.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Swainson’s Hawk is a long-distance migratory raptor that spends its summers breeding in Utah’s open grasslands, agricultural fields, and deserts. It’s a frequent sight throughout late spring via early fall, typically perched on fence posts or hovering over flat terrain seeking prey.
This hawk might be recognized by its lengthy, slender wings and comparatively slender construct in comparison with different buteos. Adults usually have a darkish chest, pale underparts, and a brown or reddish bib throughout the higher breast. In flight, the darkish flight feathers distinction sharply with the pale interior wing, giving it a particular two-toned look.
Swainson’s Hawks migrate in massive flocks to South America for the winter, touring hundreds of miles in one of the crucial spectacular migrations of any raptor. Throughout breeding season in Utah, they primarily feed on bugs like grasshoppers, however will even hunt rodents and reptiles to feed their younger.
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
The Ferruginous Hawk is the most important hawk species in North America and is present in Utah’s open rangelands, deserts, and prairies. This majestic raptor prefers expansive, treeless areas the place it may possibly hunt for ground-dwelling prey similar to rabbits and prairie canines.
It’s recognized by its massive dimension, broad wings, and pale coloration. The commonest morph has a rusty-colored again and shoulders, a light-weight underside, and feathered legs—a trait shared solely with the Tough-legged Hawk. There may be additionally a darkish morph with chocolate-brown plumage. Each have a attribute V-shaped wing profile in flight.
Ferruginous Hawks are year-round residents in elements of Utah, although some people migrate south in winter. An enchanting truth is that their title comes from the Latin phrase ferrugo, which means “rust,” referencing the reddish hue of their feathers. These hawks typically nest on cliffs, timber, and even on the bottom in distant areas.
Tough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
The Tough-legged Hawk is a winter customer to Utah, touring south from the Arctic tundra to flee the cruel northern chilly. It inhabits open fields, deserts, and farmlands throughout the colder months, the place it hunts small mammals like voles and mice.
This species is exclusive amongst hawks for having feathered legs all the best way right down to the toes, an adaptation for chilly climates. It has a light-colored underside with darkish patches on the wrists and a broad black stomach band. The tail is white with a darkish terminal band, and each mild and darkish morphs exist.
Tough-legged Hawks typically hover in place whereas scanning for prey, a habits hardly ever seen in different buteos. In Utah, they will usually be noticed from November via March. Their calm demeanor and tendency to perch in uncovered areas make them a favourite amongst birdwatchers in winter.
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
The Northern Harrier is a slender, long-winged hawk continuously seen gliding low over Utah’s marshes, wetlands, and open fields. It’s a ground-nesting raptor that’s significantly lively throughout spring and fall migration, although it will also be seen all year long in some areas.
Grownup males are pale grey with black wingtips, whereas females and juveniles are brown with streaked underparts. All Northern Harriers have an owl-like facial disk that helps them hear the actions of their prey in dense vegetation. A key discipline mark is the intense white patch on the rump, seen in flight.
Northern Harriers hunt by flying low and slowly simply above the bottom, utilizing each imaginative and prescient and listening to to find small mammals and birds. Not like most hawks, they rely closely on auditory cues when looking, a trait extra typical of owls. This habits, together with their sleek flight fashion, units them aside from different Utah raptors.
Uncommon or Unintentional Guests
These hawks are occasionally noticed in Utah, typically throughout migration or as a consequence of uncommon dispersal
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small, compact raptor that’s hardly ever seen in Utah, primarily throughout migration. These hawks breed in japanese and central North America and are mostly noticed in Utah in spring or fall when younger birds or strays wander exterior their typical vary.
Adults are recognized by their reddish-brown heads, barred underparts, and a brief, banded tail with broad black and white stripes. In flight, they show broad wings with a pointed tip and a strikingly pale underside. Their compact, stocky look distinguishes them from different migratory hawks.
One of the vital outstanding options of Broad-winged Hawks is their tendency emigrate in massive flocks referred to as “kettles,” generally numbering within the hundreds. Though such occasions are uncommon in Utah, birders often spot them passing via throughout peak migration intervals, particularly close to mountain ridgelines.
Purple-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The Purple-shouldered Hawk is a fantastically marked raptor with reddish chest barring and distinctive black-and-white checkered wings. It’s a forest-dwelling hawk that’s seldom seen in Utah, although it could seem throughout migration or uncommon dispersal occasions.
This hawk is greatest recognized by its rufous shoulder patches, rounded wings, and strongly banded tail. Its name—a loud, slurred “kee-aah”—is a standard sound in its core vary however is never heard in Utah. When it does seem, it’s usually round riparian woodlands or forest edges.
Purple-shouldered Hawks are extra generally discovered within the japanese U.S., in addition to elements of California. Utah lies far exterior their normal breeding territory, however younger birds might wander westward. Regardless of their rarity within the state, their hanging plumage and piercing name make them memorable when encountered.
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus)
The Zone-tailed Hawk is a darkish, elegant raptor with a powerful resemblance to a Turkey Vulture in each look and flight fashion. It’s an unusual customer to Utah, often seen within the southern a part of the state, significantly close to canyons or desert cliffs throughout migration or dispersal.
This hawk is generally black with a pale, banded tail—therefore the title “zone-tailed.” In flight, it holds its wings in a shallow V and rocks aspect to aspect, mimicking the flight sample of a vulture. This resemblance might assist it sneak up on prey by avoiding alarm.
Zone-tailed Hawks are often discovered farther south in Arizona, Mexico, and Central America. Their occasional presence in Utah makes them a goal species for avid birders. Their misleading flight and raptor-like construct provide a captivating instance of mimicry within the chicken world.
Frequent Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
The Frequent Black Hawk is a big, darkish raptor that inhabits riparian corridors within the southwestern U.S. It’s a uncommon discover in Utah, usually restricted to the far southern areas similar to Zion Nationwide Park or the Virgin River basin, the place appropriate habitat exists.
This hawk has broad wings, a brief tail with a daring white band, and general black plumage with yellow legs and a big hooked beak. It typically perches quietly close to water, ready to pounce on amphibians, fish, and crustaceans. Its flight is sluggish and deliberate, with deep wingbeats.
Although not frequent in Utah, the Frequent Black Hawk is a breeding resident in elements of Arizona and New Mexico. Occasional sightings in Utah are sometimes of wandering juveniles or edge-of-range nesting makes an attempt. Its reliance on streamside habitats makes it susceptible to habitat loss and water diversion.
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
The Grey Hawk is a modern, medium-sized raptor hardly ever noticed in Utah and usually solely as a vagrant. It’s extra generally discovered within the riparian woodlands of southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. In Utah, it could present up throughout post-breeding dispersal or alongside desert waterways within the south.
Adults are a hanging pale grey with finely barred underparts and an extended tail that includes slender white bands. Juveniles are brownish with streaked underparts and banded tails. They’re sleek flyers, typically hovering with flat wings and a slight dihedral.
Grey Hawks specialise in looking small vertebrates, particularly lizards, from low perches. Whereas their presence in Utah could be very restricted, any sighting is taken into account noteworthy and infrequently attracts consideration from birders hoping to identify this uncommon and chic hawk exterior its normal vary.
