Arkansas is home to a diverse population of hawks. Hawks are medium to large birds of prey that belong to the Accipitridae family. There are over 60 species of hawks found worldwide, with 15 species known to breed in Arkansas. The most commonly seen hawks in Arkansas include the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Hawks occupy an important ecological niche as apex predators that help regulate prey populations. Their populations can serve as indicators of environmental health. Understanding what hawks look like aids in identification, conservation, and appreciation of these magnificent raptors. This article will provide an overview of the identifying features, size, color patterns, and habitat preferences of the hawks found in Arkansas.
Distinguishing Features of Hawks
Hawks share several physical and behavioral adaptations that aid their roles as predators:
- Strong, hooked bills for tearing flesh
- Sharp talons for grasping and killing prey
- Keen eyesight for detecting prey from afar
- Broad wings for agile flying and diving on prey
- Compact, muscular bodies
- Soaring flight style
There is considerable variation in size and plumage features among hawk species. In general, accipiters (forest hawks) have short, round wings and long tails to provide agile maneuvering in dense habitats when pursuing birds and small mammals. Buteos (soaring hawks) have broader wings and shorter tails that allow them to soar over open country while scanning for rodent and reptile prey.
Red-Tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. They can be found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas. Distinctive identifying features include:
- Length: 19-25 inches
- Wingspan: 48-56 inches
- Weight: 2-4 pounds
- Reddish-brown tail (juveniles have a brown banded tail)
- Pale chest with dark streaks
- Bellyband (dark band across lower breast)
- Broad, rounded wings
- Dark patagium (leading edge of wing)
Red-tailed hawks are effective hunters of small mammals, reptiles, and birds. They can often be seen perched on poles, trees, or fences surveying for prey in open fields. Their loud, descending “keeeeer” call is commonly heard.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered hawks prefer mixed forests and wetland habitats in eastern and central North America. Identifying features include:
- Length: 16-24 inches
- Wingspan: 38-42 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Checkered black and white wings (“spider web” pattern)
- Pale crescents around red shoulders
- Narrow white bands on tail
- Long banded tail
- Orange-red breast
- Bold black and white stripes on face
These accipiters hunt small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds within forest and wetland environments. They have an aerial courtship display and make a loud, screaming “kee-ah” call.
Broad-Winged Hawk
Broad-winged hawks live in deciduous and mixed forests in eastern North America. They get their name from their broad, rounded wings. Identifying characteristics are:
- Length: 13-17 inches
- Wingspan: 32-39 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Broad, rounded wings
- Wide dark and white banded tail
- Orange barring on underparts
- Heavily streaked breast
- Juveniles have a peaked crown
This small hawk preys on small birds, frogs, snakes, insects, and spiders. They are agile flyers that dart between trees when hunting.
Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s hawks are crow-sized forest-dwelling accipiters found throughout North America. Identifying features include:
- Length: 15-20 inches
- Wingspan: 27-35 inches
- Weight: 1-2 pounds
- Steel-blue back and brick-red barring on underparts (juveniles brown above)
- Long banded tail
- Large head with distinctive forehead bulge
- Swift flight through dense habitat
These secretive hawks use surrounding vegetation to conceal their approach before ambushing small bird and mammal prey. They sometimes attract birds by mimicking calls.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
The Sharp-shinned hawk is a small accipiter found throughout North America. Identifying characteristics include:
- Length: 9-13 inches
- Wingspan: 18-22 inches
- Weight: 3-6 ounces
- Square-tipped tail with white bands
- Orange barring on underparts
- Thin black bracelets on short legs
- Bright yellow eyes
- Fast darting flight through dense habitat
This little hawk specializes in catching small songbirds at backyard feeders, often surprising them by appearing suddenly from dense vegetation.
Habitats Occupied by Hawks in Arkansas
The hawks found in Arkansas utilize a variety of habitats across the state:
- Forests – Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Wetlands – Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier
- Open country – Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier
- Urban areas – Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk
Below are some key facts about the habitats used by Arkansas hawks:
| Species | Key Habitats |
|---|---|
| Broad-winged Hawk | Mature deciduous and mixed forests |
| Cooper’s Hawk | Forests, woodlots, urban parks |
| Northern Harrier | Marshes, grasslands, fields |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Floodplain forests, swamps, wetlands |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Open country, grasslands, deserts |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Mature deciduous and mixed forests |
When and Where to Look for Hawks in Arkansas
The best times and places to observe hawks in Arkansas include:
- Spring migration – Broad-winged Hawks and other raptors pass through in large numbers in March-April as they return to breeding grounds.
- Early morning – Peak hunting activity
- Late afternoon – Increased visibility as hawks return to roosts
- Open country – Scanning fenceposts and poles for perched raptors
- Forest edges – Watch for accipiters darting from cover to snatch bird prey
- Wetlands – Northern Harriers coursing over marshes
- Roads – Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels often perch on telephone lines and poles
Some prime hawk watching spots include Mount Magazine State Park, Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Petit Jean State Park, and Maple Falls at the Buffalo National River.
Threats Facing Arkansas Hawks
The hawk populations in Arkansas face a number of threats:
- Habitat loss – Development, logging, and agriculture reduce available nesting and hunting grounds.
- Collisions – Hawks are vulnerable to vehicle and wind turbine strikes, as well as window collisions.
- Poisons – Accumulation of pesticides and other toxins through the food chain.
- Climate change – May alter suitable habitat and prey distributions.
Protection of hawk habitat and reductions in use of destructive pesticides are important conservation measures. Public education and awareness can help mitigate collision hazards and promote protection of raptors.
Appreciating the Hawk’s Role in Arkansas Ecosystems
Hawks are important components of Arkansas’s ecosystems and fascinating birds to observe in the wild. Some key reasons to value hawks include:
- Vital predators that help regulate rodent and small mammal populations.
- Indicators of environmental health and biodiversity.
- Aid in seed dispersal and disease control of prey populations.
- Prominent Native American symbols emphasizing vision, power, and guardianship.
- Opportunities for birding, photography, and wildlife viewing recreation.
Understanding hawk identification, ecology, and behavior leads to greater appreciation and commitment to raptor conservation. The distinctive silhouettes, graceful flight, and hunting prowess of hawks inspire awe in those fortunate to observe them. As apex predators, hawks help maintain ecological balance and diversity. Their presence from dense woodlands to soaring skies adds an element of wild grandeur to Arkansas landscapes.
Conclusion
Arkansas provides excellent opportunities to observe northern harriers coursing over wetland marshes, accipiters darting beneath forest canopies, and soaring buteos riding mountain updrafts. Familiarity with hawk appearance, habitats, and habits will help amateur naturalists spot and identify these raptors during backyard birding or trips afield. Appreciation for the ecological services and graceful mastery hawks exhibit promotes public commitment to raptor conservation and habitat protection to ensure thriving populations grace Arkansas skies for generations to come.
