Hawks in North Carolina: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them

North Carolina is home to several hawk species. The Red-tailed Hawk is widespread and often seen perched along roadsides. The Red-shouldered Hawk prefers wooded swamps and is common in the Piedmont. Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile forest hunters, while Broad-winged Hawks pass through in large numbers during fall migration. Visit the /animals/hawk page for more on these species.

Your best odds are in the Piedmont region, where open fields and mixed forests create ideal hunting grounds. The coastal plains host Red-shouldered Hawks in wet woodlands. In the mountains, look for Red-tailed Hawks along ridge lines. Specific parks like William B. Umstead State Park and Hanging Rock State Park are reliable. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on the coast is good for wintering Red-tails. Check our /wildlife/north-carolina page for more spots.

Early morning, just after sunrise, is prime time when hawks begin hunting. Late afternoon also works well. Fall migration (September through November) is spectacular for Broad-winged Hawks, with large groups called kettles. Spring migration is less concentrated but still good. Winter brings northern red-tails into the state. For peak activity, plan for September and October.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Start with the tail. Red-tailed Hawks have a rusty red upper tail, while Red-shouldered Hawks have black-and-white banded tails. Look at the belly: Red-shouldered has a barred red belly, Red-tailed has a pale belly with a dark band. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail and a dark cap, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail and smaller head. In flight, note wing shape: broad and rounded for Buteos, slim and pointed for Accipiters.

The Red-tailed Hawk's call is a hoarse, descending scream, often used in movies. The Red-shouldered Hawk gives a clear whistle: 'kee-ah' repeated. Cooper's Hawk makes a sharp 'kak-kak-kak' near the nest. Broad-winged Hawks give a thin whistle. Learning these calls helps locate hawks hidden in foliage.