![]() ![]() Their tails are most identifiable when viewed from above, as they’re mostly pale below. Red-tailed Hawks got their name from their broad copper-red tails. They also eat fish and large insects, and won’t hesitate to steal prey from other raptors if the opportunity presents itself. Like most hawks, Red-tailed Hawks eat a variety of small mammals primarily rodents, birds, and rabbits. Due to forest fragmentation, Red-tailed Hawk populations in the State have, thankfully, steadily increased. Red-tailed Hawks live in all of Washington State throughout the year. Although they seem to be fairly stable in North America, they’re still listed as a “threatened” species. Unfortunately, Northern Harriers are on a steady decline due to ground predators and lack of habitat. They’re not especially picky when it comes to diet, and will eat almost anything based on availability. Like owls, Northern Harriers rely on hearing and sharp vision to capture prey. Male Northern Harriers have gray backs and whitish chests, while females are almost entirely brown with streaked, whitish undersides. These hawks are often mistaken for owls due to their disk-shaped facial features. They’re typically found soaring low throughout much of the state’s farmlands, parks, and steppe habitats. Northern Harriers, formerly known as Marsh Hawks, are one of the most common hawks in eastern Washington. You can find them in wide-open spaces such as farmlands, prairies, sagebrush deserts, and other moist areas. They’re often described as having reddish-brown chests, brown upperparts, and grayish-white bellies.Ĭompared to their Rough-legged Hawk cousins, Swainson’s Hawks are almost always found in large groups, even outside the breeding season. They usually appear at the beginning of April and will migrate to warmer states at the first sign of winter.Īlthough large, Swainson’s Hawks weigh less than common buteos. Swainson’s Hawks are among Washington’s summer residents. Today, they mostly indulge in woodpeckers, squirrels, corvids, and medium to large songbirds. These hawks were once called “the cook’s hawk” because they used to feed on farmers’ ducks, hares, and grouse. Intruders as far as half a mile from their territory might be attacked without mercy, regardless of the species. Northern Goshawks can be especially dangerous when defending their nests. Although their population is steadily increasing, they’re still listed as a species of concern by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Although they’re relatively uncommon year-round, you can spot a Goshawk or two near the eastern slope of the Cascades and higher points of the Olympic Mountains.įor the most part, Northern Goshawks are non-migratory. Northern Goshawks are among the most aggressive and fierce hawks found in Washington State. Their diet primarily consists of lemmings, voles, squirrels, and mice, but they won’t say no to carrion if their food source is especially scarce. These winter residents often appear singly or in pairs rarely in large groups. They’re boldly patterned and mostly dark in color, with white undersides. ![]() Rough-legged Hawks got their name from their fluffy, feathered legs. Their tails are likewise much longer than common buteos. They prefer large, open habitats.Ĭompared to most other buteo hawks, Rough-legged Hawks have long but narrow wings, which is why they’re often mistaken for eagles. They migrate to eastern and western Washington from early October throughout November. Rough-legged Hawks are among the few winter hawks found in Washington. Although Cooper’s Hawk populations are more or less stable in the West, the Washington Gap Analysis added them to their “at-risk” list. Most of Washington’s Cooper’s Hawks are believed to migrate south for the winter. ![]() Instead, they were named by Charles Bonaparte in honor of his friend William Cooper, who was also a fellow ornithologist. Cooper’s Hawks have a relatively large head, broad rounded wings and shoulders, and a rounded long tail.ĭespite popular belief, Cooper’s Hawks didn’t get their name from their warm, copper-like bars. Accipiters are hawks that have short wings and long legs. Let’s dive right in! Cooper’s HawkĬooper’s Hawks are medium-sized accipiters that are commonly found in northeastern Washington. In this article, we’re going to go through eight of the most stunning hawks in Washington State. Thanks to Washington’s unique geography, a diverse selection of hawks can be found and observed in the state.
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