Are There Hawks in Sacramento?
Yes, hawks are present year-round in Sacramento and the surrounding region. Red-tailed hawks are most common, hunting over parks, residential areas, and riparian corridors along the Sacramento and American Rivers. Red-shouldered hawks also thrive in oak woodlands. The city's abundant tree cover and mild climate support healthy hawk populations throughout the year.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 23, 2026.
Red-shouldered Hawk · Linzy L. CC BY-SA
Cooper's Hawk · Becky Matsubara CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Brooke J. CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 4,826,941
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- January, December, February
- peak months
Yes, hawks are in California. 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
19 types of hawks recorded in California
19 hawk species have a verified observation record in California 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 California
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Harris's HawkParabuteo unicinctus | Parabuteo unicinctus | 214 |
| 14 | American GoshawkNativeAstur atricapillus | Astur atricapillus | 182 |
| 15 | Broad-winged HawkNativeButeo platypterus | Buteo platypterus | 157 |
| 16 | Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus | Elanoides forficatus | 108 |
| 17 | Gray HawkButeo plagiatus | Buteo plagiatus | 31 |
| 18 | Mississippi KiteNativeIctinia mississippiensis | Ictinia mississippiensis | 30 |
| 19 | Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus | Buteogallus anthracinus | 17 |
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
242,207 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in California, most often in January, December, February.
When hawk are recorded in California
Yes, hawks are present year-round in Sacramento and the surrounding region. Red-tailed hawks are most common, hunting over parks, residential areas, and riparian corridors along the Sacramento and American Rivers. Red-shouldered hawks also thrive in oak woodlands. The city's abundant tree cover and mild climate support healthy hawk populations throughout the year.
Where Hawks Are Found in and Around Sacramento
Hawks live throughout Sacramento and its surrounding region. Red-tailed hawks hunt from tall trees and utility poles in the Curtis Park neighborhood, Midtown, and the Fair Oaks area. They patrol over residential blocks and open spaces searching for ground squirrels, rabbits, and mice. William Land Park provides excellent habitat with its trees and open grasslands. Discovery Park sits along the American River where hawks hunt from cottonwoods and valley oaks. The Sacramento River Parkway offers miles of riparian habitat where red-shouldered hawks nest and hunt for fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Folsom Lake, northeast of the city, has additional hawk habitat in oak woodlands and chaparral. The power lines crossing neighborhoods also serve as favorite perching spots for hunting hawks. Visit ourCalifornia hawk guideto learn more about these raptors, or exploreCalifornia's wildlifeand thenational wildlife hub.
Seasons and Timing for Sacramento Hawks
Hawks are present in Sacramento year-round. Red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks are permanent residents that stay through all seasons. Winter brings additional red-tailed hawks migrating south from northern California and beyond. Spring and fall migration can bring short-term increases in hawk numbers passing through the region. Sacramento's mild winters mean hawks have reliable food sources year-round, so populations remain stable. Late fall is when hawk activity is most visible, as more birds gather before settling into winter territories. Early morning is the best time to spot hawks hunting. Spring brings nesting activity, and you may see pairs together preparing nest sites in tall trees. Summer is quieter for hawk watching, as birds are focused on raising young. The consistent warm weather in Sacramento means you can watch hawks during any season.
How to Identify Hawks in Sacramento
Red-tailed hawks are Sacramento's most common raptor. They are large birds, around two feet long, with brown bodies and distinctive red-rusty tails visible in flight. The chest is often pale, and the back is dark brown. Females are noticeably larger than males. Younger birds have dark brown tails instead of red, which develops as they mature. Red-shouldered hawks are medium-sized with rufous chests, barred undersides, and checkered black and white wing patterns. Their tails have narrow dark bands. Both species have powerful curved beaks, yellow legs, and sharp talons. Listen for calls: red-tailed hawks make a raspy scream, while red-shouldered hawks produce rapid, loud calls. Identifying features like tail color, chest patterns, and wing markings help distinguish between species. For detailed Sacramento hawk identification, visitCalifornia's hawk resources.
Where Sightings Concentrate Near Sacramento
Red-tailed hawks hunt most in open areas and from elevated perches. In Sacramento, they concentrate over William Land Park's grasslands and the fairgrounds area. Power lines crossing the Fair Oaks neighborhood and Midtown are favorite hunting perches. The American River Parkway, especially between Discovery Park and Folsom, offers excellent viewing with hawks hunting from oak trees over water. Red-shouldered hawks prefer oak woodlands and riparian areas, so they concentrate along the Sacramento River and in state parks east of the city. Folsom Lake's oak-dotted shores host red-shouldered hawks year-round. The Cosumnes River Preserve south of Sacramento has additional hawks in wetland and oak habitat. Early morning offers the best hawk watching as birds hunt before midday heat. Scanning open fields and watching for perched birds on power lines and tall trees yields regular sightings.
Typical Hawk Behavior and Diet in Sacramento
Red-tailed hawks are skilled predators that hunt mostly small mammals. In Sacramento, they hunt ground squirrels, voles, mice, and rabbits by soaring high on warm air currents and diving when they spot prey. They also hunt from perches, sitting quietly on power lines or tree branches and watching the ground below. Red-shouldered hawks hunt a wider diet that includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, crayfish, and insects in addition to small mammals and birds. They hunt from lower perches in trees near water, plunging to catch fish and frogs. Hawks are mostly solitary hunters but pair up during breeding season. Nesting pairs work together to raise young from late winter through early summer. Both species are territorial and defend hunting grounds against other hawks. Sacramento's year-round warm weather and abundant prey support strong hawk populations. The diversity of habitats from urban parks to riparian areas provides plenty of hunting opportunities.
Coexistence and Safety with Hawks in Sacramento
Hawks are not dangerous to humans and should be appreciated from a distance. They are protected by federal law and should never be harmed. Hawks help control rodent populations in Sacramento, which is beneficial. In residential areas, hawks sometimes hunt at bird feeders where songbirds gather. This is natural predation, not a problem to solve. If you have a bird feeder, hawks may visit occasionally, and this is fine. Keep songbirds but expect that predation is part of nature. Do not attempt to capture, trap, or move a hawk. If you find an injured or orphaned hawk in Sacramento, contact local wildlife rehabilitation centers for help. Hawks are an important part of the city's ecosystem and food web. The best approach is to watch hawks from your home, yard, or parks and enjoy observing these skilled hunters. Many Sacramento residents find hawks exciting to encounter and enjoy learning about their behavior.
Hawks Confused with Other Species Around Sacramento
Several birds in Sacramento are sometimes mistaken for hawks. Turkey vultures soar like red-tailed hawks but are much larger, darker, and have different flight patterns. Their wings form a V shape when soaring. Osprey are similar to red-tailed hawks but hunt only fish and are larger. They are white underneath with dark backs. Ravens and crows are black birds much smaller than hawks, lacking the hooked beak and powerful build. Roadrunners are ground birds with long tails that sometimes confuse new birders. Northern flickers are woodpeckers with spotted patterns that can look hawk-like from a distance. Golden eagles are rare in Sacramento but are larger than any hawk with golden plumage. Learning the distinctive markings, size, and behavior of each species helps distinguish them from hawks accurately. Field guides and online resources provide detailed comparison images.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawks in Sacramento
Will a hawk attack me or my family? Hawks are not aggressive toward humans and will not attack people. They are wild animals that avoid confrontation. Can hawks take my small pet or bird? Large hawks could theoretically prey on very small birds or pets, but this is uncommon in Sacramento. Keep small pets supervised outdoors or indoors. Do hawks help control pests? Yes, hawks help control rodent populations, making them beneficial to cities. They eat ground squirrels, mice, voles, and rats. Can I feed hawks? No, do not feed hawks. They hunt naturally and need to maintain their hunting skills. Should I worry about hawks nesting near my home? Hawks nesting nearby are not a concern. They keep to themselves and will not cause problems. Learn more at ourwildlife guideto find Sacramento's other animals.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in California: January, December, February
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in California
4,826,941 verified hawk records have been logged in California, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in California
- Alcatraz Island · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cabrillo National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Channel Islands National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Death Valley National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Postpile National Monument · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Southeast Farallon Island (Farallon Islands NWR, restricted access) · 446 species recorded
- Pt. Pinos--general (sea & shore Coral to Jewell, Crespi Pond & cypresses) · 372 species recorded
- Furnace Creek Ranch--The Ranch at Death Valley · 367 species recorded
- San Clemente Island (please use more precise location) · 364 species recorded
- Andrew Molera SP--Big Sur River mouth · 363 species recorded
- Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary · 344 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in California