Hawks in Arizona: where to see them and how to identify them

Your best odds for seeing hawks in Arizona are in the southern and central regions. The Sonoran Desert around Tucson and the Sky Islands (like the Santa Rita Mountains) host Harris's Hawks and Gray Hawks. Northern Arizona's ponderosa pine forests near Flagstaff are good for Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Goshawks. Riparian areas along the Salt and Verde Rivers also concentrate prey, drawing in Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Check out Arizona's wildlife hotspots for more specific locations.

In Arizona, hawk sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Key spotting zones include the Sweetwater Wetland near Tucson (reliable for Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks), the San Pedro River (home to Gray Hawks during summer), and the Apache Trail scenic drive east of Phoenix (excellent for Ferruginous Hawks and Swainson's Hawks during migration). Early exploration near water sources or open perching spots increases your odds significantly.

Late winter through spring (February to May) is prime for migration, when Swainson's Hawks pass through in large numbers. Early morning (7-10 AM) and late afternoon (4-6 PM) are the most active feeding times. In summer, early morning is key to avoid heat. Fall migration (September to October) also brings many hawks southward, especially along the Mogollon Rim.

Thermal activity peaks in afternoon hours (11 AM to 3 PM), when rising air currents allow hawks to soar and hunt efficiently. During this window, you'll often see raptors climbing thermal columns to survey large territories. Winter months (December to February) see an influx of Ferruginous Hawks from the north, making this an ideal time for species diversity. Spring migration (March to May) concentrates hawks along ridgelines and mountain passes where prevailing winds channel large numbers of traveling birds.

Focus on wing shape, tail pattern, and size. Red-tailed Hawks have a classic broad wing and a reddish tail (adults) visible from below. Harris's Hawks are dark with white tail tips and rusty shoulder patches. Cooper's Hawks are medium-sized with rounded tails and barring on the chest. Compare with the similar Sharp-shinned Hawk, which is smaller with a squared tail. For more on identification, visit our hawk identification guide.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

In flight, Red-tailed Hawks show distinctive carpal (leading-edge) marks on their wings and a pale breast with a dark belly band. Harris's Hawks are unmistakable in a group, often displaying their characteristic coordinated hunting behavior. When perched, a Red-tailed's stocky build and broad shoulders stand in stark contrast to the leaner, longer-tailed silhouette of a Cooper's Hawk. Swainson's Hawks, common during migration, show a contrasting dark flight feather and light-colored head. Watch for white rump patches on Northern Harriers coursing low over open grassland, and note the distinctive long, broad tail of a Zone-tailed Hawk, which mimics a vulture in flight.

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most widespread, found statewide. The Harris's Hawk is common in the Sonoran Desert, often in family groups. Swainson's Hawk is a summer resident in grasslands. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks frequent wooded areas. The Gray Hawk is a specialty in southern Arizona's riparian zones. Each species has distinct habitat preferences, so check the Arizona wildlife hub for detailed breakdowns.

Red-tailed Hawks thrive from urban parks to remote deserts and are present throughout the year. Harris's Hawks, unique among North American raptors for their social hunting groups, raise young in the lowland Sonoran Desert and are year-round residents there. Swainson's Hawks arrive in late March and depart by September, spending summers in Arizona's grasslands where prey is abundant. Cooper's Hawks prefer oak and pine woodlands, while Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate through in spring and fall. The Northern Goshawk, a large accipiter, breeds in Arizona's higher forests and is often heard more than seen due to its reclusive nature.

Start with the best spots: Madera Canyon (Santa Rita Mountains) is famous for Gray Hawks and migrant raptors. The Chiricahua Mountains offer high-elevation species. The Salt River Canyon is reliable for Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks. Use the interactive tool below to find recent sightings and plan your route.

Bring a pair of binoculars with at least 8x42 magnification, a field guide specific to western raptors, and a notebook to record behaviors and field marks. Plan to spend at least two hours at a single location to maximize sightings, as hawk activity varies throughout the day. Early morning visits to riparian areas yield the highest success rates for Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Schedule spring trips for late March through May to catch peak Swainson's Hawk migration, and plan fall visits for September and October to observe southbound hawks. Elevation matters: higher-elevation sites (4,000+ feet) host different species than low desert locations, so tailor your destination based on which hawks you hope to see.