Are There Hawks in New York?
Yes, hawks live throughout New York City. Red-tailed hawks are the most visible, hunting from rooftops and tall trees in parks and neighborhoods. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks also thrive in the city's forests. Central Park, Prospect Park, and the Hudson River Greenway host resident hawk populations year-round.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 23, 2026.
Bald Eagle · Steven Bodzin CC BY
Golden Eagle · er-birds CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Cullen Hanks CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 1,673,256
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- January, March, February
- peak months
Yes, hawks are in New York. Next you'll want:
What hawk sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
Swallow-tailed Kite · flight call
0:05River Lakes Conservation Area near Viera, Brevard Co, Florida · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC169364
Northern Harrier · call
0:05Whitewater Draw WA, near McNeal, Cochise Co, Arizona · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC164241
Cooper's Hawk · alarm call
0:06Cape Coral Public Library · © Dany Sloan CC BY-NC-SA · XC859371
Verified species, source iNaturalist
13 types of hawks recorded in New York
13 hawk species have a verified observation record in New York across the hawk family (Accipitridae), which also includes eagles, kites and harriers, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Also recorded in New York
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus | Elanoides forficatus | 13 |
Plus 1 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
27,209 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in New York, most often in January, March, February.
When hawk are recorded in New York
Yes, hawks live throughout New York City. Red-tailed hawks are the most visible, hunting from rooftops and tall trees in parks and neighborhoods. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks also thrive in the city's forests. Central Park, Prospect Park, and the Hudson River Greenway host resident hawk populations year-round.
Where Hawks Are Found in and Around New York
Hawks live throughout New York City and the surrounding region. Red-tailed hawks hunt from building rooftops in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Upper West Side. They perch on tall apartment buildings and water towers, watching streets and parks below for prey. Central Park hosts multiple red-tailed hawk nesting pairs that hunt over the Ramble, the Great Lawn, and along the park edges. Prospect Park in Brooklyn is home to resident red-tailed hawks and occasional Cooper's hawks. Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx provides additional habitat. Sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper's hawks hunt in denser vegetation in residential neighborhoods and urban woodlands. The Hudson River Greenway offers excellent habitat along Manhattan's west side. The East River waterfront and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge support hawks hunting near water. Visit ourNew York hawk guidefor statewide information, exploreNew York's wildlife, or see thenational wildlife hub.
Seasons and Timing for New York Hawks
Hawks are present in New York City year-round. Red-tailed hawks are permanent residents that stay through cold winters. Some red-tailed hawks migrate south, while others choose to remain and hunt in the city. Spring and fall bring migration peaks when additional hawks pass through New York on their way to and from breeding grounds. Winter is an excellent season for hawk watching because trees lose leaves, making perched birds more visible. Red-tailed hawks hunt actively in winter, taking advantage of food sources in the city. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks are partly migratory, with higher numbers arriving in fall and departing in spring. Early morning is the best time to spot hawks hunting, especially in winter and during migration. Nesting season runs from late winter through early summer, and you may see pairs together. The city's abundant food sources support hawks throughout the year.
How to Identify Hawks in New York
Red-tailed hawks are New York's most common raptor. They are large birds roughly two feet long, with dark brown bodies and distinctive reddish-rusty tails visible in flight. Young birds have dark brown tails that turn red with age. The breast is often pale, creating a dark patagium or shoulder patch. Females are noticeably larger than males. Cooper's hawks are medium-sized with gray-blue backs, reddish-barred chests and bellies, and long tails with dark bands. Sharp-shinned hawks are smaller, similar to Cooper's hawks but more compact with shorter tails. All hawks have powerful hooked beaks, yellow legs, and sharp talons designed for hunting. Their eyes are large and forward-facing for hunting vision. Listen for calls: red-tailed hawks make a raspy scream, while Cooper's hawks produce sharp, rapid chirps. VisitNew York's hawk resourcesfor detailed identification tips.
Where Sightings Concentrate Near New York
Red-tailed hawks concentrate in open spaces and from elevated perches in New York. Central Park is the premier hawk-watching location, with regular sightings over the Great Lawn, Ramble, and open meadows. Rooftops and building ledges in Manhattan offer hunting perches, especially around the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. Prospect Park in Brooklyn provides excellent viewing with hawks soaring over the Lake and hunting from tall trees. Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx has open grasslands and wetlands where hawks hunt regularly. The Hudson River Greenway from the Battery to Inwood offers sightings along the waterfront. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge east of Brooklyn hosts hawks hunting over water and marshes. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks prefer densely forested neighborhoods with tall trees, like Forest Hills in Queens. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best hawk-watching opportunities. Winter is optimal because tree coverage is minimal.
Typical Hawk Behavior and Diet in New York
Red-tailed hawks are skilled hunters that eat mostly small mammals and birds. In New York, they hunt rats, mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits. They hunt by soaring high on thermal currents over parks and streets, scanning the ground below for movement. When they spot prey, they dive quickly with talons extended. They also hunt from perches on rooftops and tall trees, sitting and watching until they see an opportunity. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks hunt smaller prey, primarily songbirds and other small birds. They are fast, agile fliers that chase prey through trees and urban vegetation. New York's abundant pigeons, rats, and mice provide reliable food sources year-round. Hawks are solitary hunters but gather during migration periods. Nesting pairs work together to raise young from late winter through early summer. Hawks are crucial to New York's ecosystem, controlling rodent and bird populations naturally.
Coexistence and Safety with Hawks in New York
Hawks are not a threat to humans and should be appreciated from a distance. They are protected by federal law and should never be harmed or harassed. Hawks help control rodent and pigeon populations in New York, which is beneficial to the city. In parks and neighborhoods, hawks sometimes hunt near bird feeders or gardens where songbirds gather. This is natural predation, not a problem to solve. If you have a backyard bird feeder or garden, hawks may visit occasionally. Let them hunt naturally. Do not attempt to capture, trap, or move a hawk. If you find an injured or orphaned hawk in New York, contact local wildlife rehabilitation centers or organizations like the Audubon Society for assistance. Hawks are an important part of New York's urban ecosystem. Many New Yorkers find hawks exciting to observe and enjoy watching them hunt from parks and buildings. The best approach is to watch and appreciate hawks from a respectful distance.
Hawks Confused with Other Species Around New York
Several birds in New York are sometimes mistaken for hawks. Turkey vultures soar like red-tailed hawks but are much larger and darker, with a distinctive V-shaped wing silhouette. Osprey are similar in size to red-tailed hawks but hunt only fish and have white undersides. Ravens and crows are black birds much smaller than hawks, lacking the hooked beak and powerful build. Pigeons are sometimes confused with hawks at a distance, but are smaller and lack predatory features. Falcons, particularly peregrines that nest on New York buildings, are sleeker and faster than hawks but have different silhouettes. Northern flickers are woodpeckers with spotted patterns that can look hawk-like from a distance. The pileated woodpecker is large but distinctly black and white with red on the head. Learning the distinctive markings, size, flight patterns, and behavior of each species helps distinguish them accurately. Online field guides and local birding groups provide detailed comparison information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawks in New York
Are hawks dangerous to people in New York City? Hawks are not dangerous to humans. They do not attack people and will avoid confrontation. Can a hawk take my pet bird or small pet? Large hawks could theoretically prey on very small birds or pets, but this is very uncommon in New York. Keep small pets supervised or indoors. Do hawks help control pests in the city? Yes, hawks help control rodent and pigeon populations, which is beneficial. They eat rats, mice, and pigeons naturally. Why do hawks hunt near my bird feeder? Predators hunt where prey concentrates. Songbirds gather at feeders, so hawks visit. This is natural. Can I report a hawk attacking a pigeon? No, this is natural predation and should not be reported. Hawks are part of the ecosystem. Explore more at thenational wildlife guideto learn about other New York species.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in New York: January, March, February
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in New York
1,673,256 verified hawk records have been logged in New York, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Fire Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- National Parks of New York Harbor · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Jones Beach SP · 343 species recorded
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge · 329 species recorded
- Robert Moses SP · 329 species recorded
- Jones Beach SP--West End · 322 species recorded
- Braddock Bay · 312 species recorded
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--West Pond · 306 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in New York