9 Types of Hawks in Kentucky
Kentucky hosts at least six regularly occurring hawk species, with Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks being most common statewide. This guide covers key field marks, top spotting locations, and seasonal timing to help you confidently identify the hawks you see.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 6, 2026.
- 8
- species recorded
- December, January, April
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
9 types of hawks recorded in Kentucky
9 hawk species have a verified observation record in Kentucky 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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9
Plus 3 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
3,610 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in Kentucky, most often in December, January, April.
When hawk are recorded in Kentucky
Kentucky hosts at least six regularly occurring hawk species, with Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks being most common statewide. This guide covers key field marks, top spotting locations, and seasonal timing to help you confidently identify the hawks you see.
1. What types of hawks are most common in Kentucky?
The two hawks you will most likely see across Kentucky are the **Red-tailed Hawk** and the **Red-shouldered Hawk**. Red-tails have a distinctive dark belly band and a rich brown tail (visible from above). Red-shouldered Hawks show barred reddish shoulders and a black-and-white banded tail. Other species include **Cooper's Hawk** (long tail, blue-gray back), **Sharp-shinned Hawk** (smaller, rounder tail), **Broad-winged Hawk** (compact, broad wings, often seen in migration), and the occasional **Northern Harrier** (low-flying, white rump patch). For detailed comparisons between these species, visit thehawk identification hub.
2. Where in Kentucky do people usually notice hawks first?
Your best odds start in open country with scattered trees: agricultural fields along I-65, the open meadows of **Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area**, and forest edges in the **Daniel Boone National Forest**. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wet bottomland forests near creeks. Cooper's Hawks often visit suburban bird feeders. For a broader look at Kentucky's top wildlife spots, see ourKentucky wildlife guide.
3. When is the best season for confident hawk sightings in Kentucky?
**Fall migration (September through November)** is the most reliable window for seeing multiple hawk species in a single day. Broad-winged Hawks move through in large kettles, especially mid-September. **Spring migration (March to May)** offers another good pulse. Resident Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are present year-round, but winter provides excellent viewing as they perch conspicuously along roadsides in bare trees.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How can you separate lookalike hawks in the field?
The trickiest pair is **Cooper's Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk**: look at the tail tip (rounded in Cooper's, square in Sharp-shinned) and head size (large and blocky in Cooper's, small and dainty in Sharp-shinned). Red-tailed vs. Red-shouldered: check the tail – Red-tails have a solid rusty tail above, while Red-shouldered tails have narrow white bands. See our detailedhawk field marksfor more tips.
5. What gear can make hawk watching more enjoyable?
A good field guide and binoculars come first, but a comfortable shirt or a sticker for your water bottle never hurts. The **Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee** is a favorite among birders who follow hawks. For a quick way to mark your sightings on a map, grab the **5X Hawk Sticker Set**. And if you want to bring the birds home, browsebird wall artfor prints that capture their flight.
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A relaxed-fit tee featuring a classic peregrine falcon design, perfect for casual birding outings.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird
Five durable vinyl stickers showing different hawk species, great for decorating gear or journals.Check Price and Availability
Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt
A vintage-style shirt featuring a bold hawk illustration, ideal for casual wear or as a gift.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
6. Frequently asked questions about hawks in Kentucky
**What is the largest hawk species in Kentucky?** The Red-tailed Hawk is the largest regularly occurring buteo, with a wingspan of up to 56 inches. Rough-legged Hawks visit in winter and are similar in size. **Do hawks stay in Kentucky year-round?** Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Cooper's Hawks are year-round residents. Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks are mainly migratory. **Where can I report a hawk sighting?** The Kentucky Ornithological Society and eBird are excellent resources. Check ourKentucky species listfor more details.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
1. What types of hawks are most common in Kentucky?+
The two hawks you will most likely see across Kentucky are the **Red-tailed Hawk** and the **Red-shouldered Hawk**. Red-tails have a distinctive dark belly band and a rich brown tail (visible from above). Red-shouldered Hawks show barred reddish shoulders and a black-and-white banded tail. Other species include **Cooper's Hawk** (long tail, blue-gray back), **Sharp-shinned Hawk** (smaller, rounder tail), **Broad-winged Hawk** (compact, broad wings, often seen in migration), and the occasional **Northern Harrier** (low-flying, white rump patch). For detailed comparisons between these species, visit thehawk identification hub.
2. Where in Kentucky do people usually notice hawks first?+
Your best odds start in open country with scattered trees: agricultural fields along I-65, the open meadows of **Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area**, and forest edges in the **Daniel Boone National Forest**. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wet bottomland forests near creeks. Cooper's Hawks often visit suburban bird feeders. For a broader look at Kentucky's top wildlife spots, see ourKentucky wildlife guide.
3. When is the best season for confident hawk sightings in Kentucky?+
**Fall migration (September through November)** is the most reliable window for seeing multiple hawk species in a single day. Broad-winged Hawks move through in large kettles, especially mid-September. **Spring migration (March to May)** offers another good pulse. Resident Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are present year-round, but winter provides excellent viewing as they perch conspicuously along roadsides in bare trees. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How can you separate lookalike hawks in the field?+
The trickiest pair is **Cooper's Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk**: look at the tail tip (rounded in Cooper's, square in Sharp-shinned) and head size (large and blocky in Cooper's, small and dainty in Sharp-shinned). Red-tailed vs. Red-shouldered: check the tail – Red-tails have a solid rusty tail above, while Red-shouldered tails have narrow white bands. See our detailedhawk field marksfor more tips.
5. What gear can make hawk watching more enjoyable?+
A good field guide and binoculars come first, but a comfortable shirt or a sticker for your water bottle never hurts. The **Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee** is a favorite among birders who follow hawks. For a quick way to mark your sightings on a map, grab the **5X Hawk Sticker Set**. And if you want to bring the birds home, browsebird wall artfor prints that capture their flight. ### Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee A relaxed-fit tee featuring a classic peregrine falcon design, perfect for casual birding outings.Check Price and Availability ### 5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird Five durable vinyl stickers showing different hawk species, great for decorating gear or journals.Check Price and Availability ### Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt A vintage-style shirt featuring a bold hawk illustration, ideal for casual wear or as a gift.Check Price and Availability ### Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Kentucky