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

Hawks in Kentucky favor a mix of open country and forest edges. The western part of the state, especially the Land Between the Lakes area, offers wide fields and scattered woods ideal for Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks. The Daniel Boone National Forest in the east holds more Cooper's and Broad-winged Hawks. Check out our wildlife guide for Kentucky for more regional tips.

In Kentucky, hawks 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.

Fall migration, from mid-September through October, is the prime season; hawks move south in large numbers, especially on days with northwest winds. Spring migration (March to April) is also good but less concentrated. Early morning, right after sunrise, and late afternoon are the most active times. During midday, hawks often soar high and are harder to see without binoculars.

Start with tail color: Red-tailed Hawks have a rusty red upper tail surface, while Red-shouldered Hawks show black-and-white banding. Cooper's Hawks have a long, rounded tail with thick bands, unlike the shorter, square tail of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Wing shape matters: Broad-winged Hawks have stubby wings, and Red-tails have broader, more rounded wings. Use a field guide or app to compare flight silhouettes. For more details, see our hawk identification hub.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

The four hawks you are most likely to see are Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Cooper's, and Broad-winged. Red-tailed Hawks are everywhere: fields, roadsides, and perches. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wet forests near streams. Cooper's Hawks are common in suburban backyards, hunting birds at feeders. Broad-winged Hawks are forest dwellers seen mainly during migration. Less common but possible: Northern Harrier (a hawk-like harrier) and the occasional Rough-legged Hawk in winter.

Several hawk watch sites in Kentucky offer reliable sightings. The Land Between the Lakes has designated overlooks. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Clermont hosts a fall hawk count. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the southeast has ridgetop views. For a full list, check our /wildlife/kentucky page. You can also plan a trip around the annual Hawk Migration Association of North America count events.