13 Types of Hawks in Florida
Yes, Florida hosts over a dozen hawk species year-round or seasonally, making it one of the premier destinations for raptor watching in North America. The most common residents are the Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, while visitors like the Broad-winged Hawk and Short-tailed Hawk add diversity during migration and warming months. Start by scanning open fields, forest edges, highways, and wetland margins, especially in winter when migration peaks. Field marks like tail color, shoulder patches, wing shape, and overall size separate the species quickly once you know what to look for. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wooded wetlands and announce themselves with loud calls, while Red-tailed Hawks dominate open country and are often spotted perching on roadside poles. Understanding these differences transforms casual sightings into confident species identification.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
- 8
- species recorded
- January, March, December
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
13 types of hawks recorded in Florida
13 hawk species have a verified observation record in Florida 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 Florida
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Swainson's HawkButeo swainsoni | Buteo swainsoni | 148 |
Plus 2 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
61,118 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in Florida, most often in January, March, December.
When hawk are recorded in Florida
Yes, Florida hosts over a dozen hawk species year-round or seasonally, making it one of the premier destinations for raptor watching in North America. The most common residents are the Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, while visitors like the Broad-winged Hawk and Short-tailed Hawk add diversity during migration and warming months. Start by scanning open fields, forest edges, highways, and wetland margins, especially in winter when migration peaks. Field marks like tail color, shoulder patches, wing shape, and overall size separate the species quickly once you know what to look for. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wooded wetlands and announce themselves with loud calls, while Red-tailed Hawks dominate open country and are often spotted perching on roadside poles. Understanding these differences transforms casual sightings into confident species identification.
1. What kinds of hawks are found in Florida?
Florida has both resident and migratory hawks. Year-round residents include the Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Seasonal visitors include the Broad-winged Hawk (spring/fall), Swainson's Hawk (rare), and the occasional Ferruginous Hawk. Check our /wildlife/florida page for a full seasonal checklist.
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you tell apart the most common Florida hawks?
Focus on tail bands, wing shape, and belly patterns. Red-shouldered Hawks have bold black-and-white checkered wings and a rusty belly with a distinctive translucent crescent window visible from below when soaring. Red-tailed Hawks show a reddish upper tail and a pale chest with a dark belly band, creating strong silhouette contrast. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail and blue-gray back, with a rufous breast. Sharp-shinned Hawks are smaller with a square tail and more delicate proportions. For more detailed field marks, visit our /animals/hawk hub.
See ourHawks guidefor the next step.
3. Where and when should you look for hawks in Florida?
Your best odds are from November through February when northern migrants join residents. Head to open agricultural areas like the Everglades, Paynes Prairie, and Lake Okeechobee. Red-shouldered Hawks are common in cypress swamps and suburban woodlots. Scan roadside power poles and fences, hawks perch there hunting for rodents and rabbits. Winter is also peak migration for Broad-winged Hawks overhead, often visible in kettles (large flocks soaring together). Early morning and late afternoon offer the best viewing when thermals develop and hawks are actively hunting.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the most common hawk in Florida?
The Red-shouldered Hawk is the most frequently seen hawk in Florida, especially in wooded wetlands and suburban areas. It's often heard before seen, giving a loud 'kee-yer' call that echoes across swamps and woodlots. Look for its rusty shoulders and banded tail. In more open country, the Red-tailed Hawk takes over as the most common buteo, particularly in agricultural zones and along highways.
5. Are there any rare or seasonal hawks in Florida?
Yes. Swainson's Hawks pass through in small numbers during migration, mostly in spring, traveling from South American wintering grounds to northern breeding territories. The Ferruginous Hawk is a rare winter visitor in the northern part of the state, with occasional sightings reported in central Florida during harsh winters. Keep an eye out for the Short-tailed Hawk, a Florida specialty that prefers marsh edges and is most often seen in the central and southern regions during the warmer months. The Crested Caracara and Zone-tailed Hawk are extremely rare but have been documented in the state.
6. How does the Red-tailed Hawk compare to other Florida hawks?
Red-tailed Hawks are larger and bulkier than Red-shouldered Hawks, with a wider wingspan and a distinct dark belly band. Their tail is solid reddish above, while Red-shouldered Hawks show narrow white bands throughout the tail. Compared to Cooper's Hawks, Red-tails have broader wings and a shorter tail, giving them a stockier profile. These differences help you identify them even at a distance. Red-tailed adults often show a distinctive patagium (dark bar along the leading edge of the wing), absent in Red-shouldered Hawks.
7. What about hawks in urban vs. rural areas?
In cities, Cooper's Hawks are the most likely hawk, often found hunting pigeons and squirrels in parks and backyards. Red-shouldered Hawks adapt to suburban neighborhoods with large trees and ponds, where they hunt lizards, frogs, and small mammals. Rural areas, especially farmland and ranches, attract Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers (which are not true hawks but often grouped with them). Forest interiors host Accipiter species like Sharp-shinned Hawks, which dash through dense vegetation pursuing songbirds. For more on Florida's raptors, check our /animals/hawk page.
8. How do Florida hawks hunt and what do they eat?
Florida hawks employ different hunting strategies based on their anatomy. Red-tailed Hawks hunt from exposed perches or by soaring in thermals, watching for movement below and diving at rabbits, squirrels, and rodents. Red-shouldered Hawks are agile hunters that dart through wooded areas after lizards, snakes, frogs, and small mammals. Cooper's Hawks specialize in bird predation, chasing songbirds and doves through backyards and woodlots with impressive maneuverability. Short-tailed Hawks hover like kestrels over marsh grass before dropping onto prey. Most Florida hawks are opportunistic, shifting their diet seasonally based on prey availability and migration patterns.
9. What conservation status do Florida hawks have?
Most hawk species in Florida are stable or increasing, thanks to decades of raptor protection and habitat conservation. The Bald Eagle, once endangered in Florida, has made a remarkable comeback and is now common around lakes and coastal areas. Red-shouldered Hawks benefit from the protection of swamp and wetland habitats. Continued monitoring of migration routes and breeding success helps researchers track population trends. Support for habitat preservation in the Everglades, coastal marshes, and interior forests is critical for maintaining healthy hawk populations. Climate change and urban development remain long-term concerns for forest-dependent species.
10. Show your hawk pride with Easy Street Markets gear
If you enjoy spotting hawks, you might like representing your favorite raptor. Easy Street Markets offers a selection of hawk-themed items.
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
This retro-style tee features a classic peregrine falcon design, perfect for birders and falconers alike.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird
A set of five durable hawk stickers for your car, laptop, or field notebook. Each features a different bird of prey design.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique t-shirt blending hawk imagery with tarot card art. Stand out at your next birding meetup.Check Price and Availability
For more hawk-inspired decor, browse our /art-prints collection of bird wall art.
See ourBrowse bird wall artfor the next step.
11. How do juveniles and adults differ in hawk identification?
Juvenile hawks look strikingly different from adults, complicating field identification. Young Red-tailed Hawks lack the red tail, showing brown tails with narrow bands instead, and their breasts are heavily streaked. Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks have less rufous coloring and brown-streaked undersides. Accipiter juveniles have yellow eyes that mature to orange or red. This variation means a single location may host hawks in multiple plumage stages, each presenting unique field marks. Learning both juvenile and adult plumages is essential for confident year-round identification.
12. Frequently asked questions about hawks in Florida
**When is the best time of day to see hawks in Florida?** Mid-morning and late afternoon are best, when thermals develop for soaring and hawks are actively hunting. Cloudy days reduce thermal activity, making hawks less likely to be aloft.
**Can I see hawks in the Everglades?** Yes. Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and Short-tailed Hawks are all seen there. Try the Anhinga Trail or Shark Valley, where open water and marsh edges provide ideal hunting habitat.
**What is the difference between a hawk and a falcon in Florida?** Falcons have long pointed wings and a notch on their beak, an adaptation for high-speed pursuits. Hawks have broader wings and a smooth beak for gripping prey. The only common falcon in Florida is the American Kestrel, but Peregrines pass through during migration, particularly near coastal areas.
**Do hawks migrate differently based on their prey?** Yes. Species hunting abundant small mammals stay year-round, while bird-hunters like Broad-winged Hawks follow insect and small bird populations south in fall. Rodent populations peak in northern breeding grounds during summer, driving migration timing.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
1. What kinds of hawks are found in Florida?+
Florida has both resident and migratory hawks. Year-round residents include the Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Seasonal visitors include the Broad-winged Hawk (spring/fall), Swainson's Hawk (rare), and the occasional Ferruginous Hawk. Check our /wildlife/florida page for a full seasonal checklist. See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you tell apart the most common Florida hawks?+
Focus on tail bands, wing shape, and belly patterns. Red-shouldered Hawks have bold black-and-white checkered wings and a rusty belly with a distinctive translucent crescent window visible from below when soaring. Red-tailed Hawks show a reddish upper tail and a pale chest with a dark belly band, creating strong silhouette contrast. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail and blue-gray back, with a rufous breast. Sharp-shinned Hawks are smaller with a square tail and more delicate proportions. For more detailed field marks, visit our /animals/hawk hub. See ourHawks guidefor the next step.
3. Where and when should you look for hawks in Florida?+
Your best odds are from November through February when northern migrants join residents. Head to open agricultural areas like the Everglades, Paynes Prairie, and Lake Okeechobee. Red-shouldered Hawks are common in cypress swamps and suburban woodlots. Scan roadside power poles and fences, hawks perch there hunting for rodents and rabbits. Winter is also peak migration for Broad-winged Hawks overhead, often visible in kettles (large flocks soaring together). Early morning and late afternoon offer the best viewing when thermals develop and hawks are actively hunting. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the most common hawk in Florida?+
The Red-shouldered Hawk is the most frequently seen hawk in Florida, especially in wooded wetlands and suburban areas. It's often heard before seen, giving a loud 'kee-yer' call that echoes across swamps and woodlots. Look for its rusty shoulders and banded tail. In more open country, the Red-tailed Hawk takes over as the most common buteo, particularly in agricultural zones and along highways.
5. Are there any rare or seasonal hawks in Florida?+
Yes. Swainson's Hawks pass through in small numbers during migration, mostly in spring, traveling from South American wintering grounds to northern breeding territories. The Ferruginous Hawk is a rare winter visitor in the northern part of the state, with occasional sightings reported in central Florida during harsh winters. Keep an eye out for the Short-tailed Hawk, a Florida specialty that prefers marsh edges and is most often seen in the central and southern regions during the warmer months. The Crested Caracara and Zone-tailed Hawk are extremely rare but have been documented in the state.
6. How does the Red-tailed Hawk compare to other Florida hawks?+
Red-tailed Hawks are larger and bulkier than Red-shouldered Hawks, with a wider wingspan and a distinct dark belly band. Their tail is solid reddish above, while Red-shouldered Hawks show narrow white bands throughout the tail. Compared to Cooper's Hawks, Red-tails have broader wings and a shorter tail, giving them a stockier profile. These differences help you identify them even at a distance. Red-tailed adults often show a distinctive patagium (dark bar along the leading edge of the wing), absent in Red-shouldered Hawks.
7. What about hawks in urban vs. rural areas?+
In cities, Cooper's Hawks are the most likely hawk, often found hunting pigeons and squirrels in parks and backyards. Red-shouldered Hawks adapt to suburban neighborhoods with large trees and ponds, where they hunt lizards, frogs, and small mammals. Rural areas, especially farmland and ranches, attract Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers (which are not true hawks but often grouped with them). Forest interiors host Accipiter species like Sharp-shinned Hawks, which dash through dense vegetation pursuing songbirds. For more on Florida's raptors, check our /animals/hawk page.
8. How do Florida hawks hunt and what do they eat?+
Florida hawks employ different hunting strategies based on their anatomy. Red-tailed Hawks hunt from exposed perches or by soaring in thermals, watching for movement below and diving at rabbits, squirrels, and rodents. Red-shouldered Hawks are agile hunters that dart through wooded areas after lizards, snakes, frogs, and small mammals. Cooper's Hawks specialize in bird predation, chasing songbirds and doves through backyards and woodlots with impressive maneuverability. Short-tailed Hawks hover like kestrels over marsh grass before dropping onto prey. Most Florida hawks are opportunistic, shifting their diet seasonally based on prey availability and migration patterns.
9. What conservation status do Florida hawks have?+
Most hawk species in Florida are stable or increasing, thanks to decades of raptor protection and habitat conservation. The Bald Eagle, once endangered in Florida, has made a remarkable comeback and is now common around lakes and coastal areas. Red-shouldered Hawks benefit from the protection of swamp and wetland habitats. Continued monitoring of migration routes and breeding success helps researchers track population trends. Support for habitat preservation in the Everglades, coastal marshes, and interior forests is critical for maintaining healthy hawk populations. Climate change and urban development remain long-term concerns for forest-dependent species.
11. How do juveniles and adults differ in hawk identification?+
Juvenile hawks look strikingly different from adults, complicating field identification. Young Red-tailed Hawks lack the red tail, showing brown tails with narrow bands instead, and their breasts are heavily streaked. Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks have less rufous coloring and brown-streaked undersides. Accipiter juveniles have yellow eyes that mature to orange or red. This variation means a single location may host hawks in multiple plumage stages, each presenting unique field marks. Learning both juvenile and adult plumages is essential for confident year-round identification.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Florida