Hawks in Missouri: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them
Yes, hawks are common in Missouri year-round. The best place to start is the Mississippi River corridor and open grasslands of the Ozarks. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are the most likely to spot. For quick identification, look for a red tail or dark shoulders in flight.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bald Eagle · Public domain CC0
Northern Harrier · Public domain CC0
Cooper's Hawk · Public domain CC0
- 8
- species recorded
- 530,273
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- December, January, February
- peak months
Yes, hawks are in Missouri. 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
12 types of hawks recorded in Missouri
12 hawk species have a verified observation record in Missouri 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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12
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
7,828 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in Missouri, most often in December, January, February.
When hawk are recorded in Missouri
Yes, hawks are common in Missouri year-round. The best place to start is the Mississippi River corridor and open grasslands of the Ozarks. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are the most likely to spot. For quick identification, look for a red tail or dark shoulders in flight.
1. Where in Missouri Are Hawks Most Likely Seen?
Hawks in Missouri are most often seen in the western and southern parts of the state, especially the Ozark Plateau and along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Open farmland, grasslands, and forest edges provide prime hunting. Conservation areas like the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge are reliable spots. For a broader look at Missouri wildlife, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
2. What Is the Best Season and Time of Day to See Hawks?
Hawks are active year-round in Missouri, but the best viewing is during fall migration (September to November) when numbers peak along the Missouri River bluffs. Daily activity is highest in the morning (8-11 AM) and late afternoon (3-5 PM) when thermals rise. Winter can be good for seeing Rough-legged Hawks that migrate down from the north.
3. How to Identify Common Missouri Hawks Compared to Similar Species?
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common: look for a brick-red tail on adults, dark belly band, and pale chest. Red-shouldered Hawks have a banded black-and-white tail and reddish shoulders. For soaring birds, note the tail shape: Red-tails have a rounded fan, while Broad-winged Hawks have a shorter, squared tail. Compared to Bald Eagles (which are larger), hawks have fully feathered legs. For more detailed identification tips, check ourhawk identification guide.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What Hawks Are Found in Missouri During Spring and Summer?
Breeding hawks include Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged, and Cooper's Hawks. Swainson's Hawks pass through in spring but rarely stay. Look for nests in tall trees along rivers. Broad-winged Hawks are secretive but can be heard calling in deep woods. For field notes on other birds of prey, see ourbald eagle page.
5. Where Can You Find Hawk Migration Hotspots in Missouri?
The Mississippi River flyway is a major route. Hawk Ridge in St. Louis County and the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary near West Alton are excellent. The Ozark foothills also concentrate migrants. Many hawk watches operate in the fall. For planning your trip, use this travel tool to find nearby birding sites:
6. What Features Make a Good Hawk Spotting Location?
Look for open areas with high perches: telephone poles, dead trees, or fence posts. Hawks prefer to hunt from a height of 10-30 feet. River bluffs and ridge tops offer unobstructed views. Avoid dense forest where you can't see the sky. Carry binoculars with at least 8x magnification. For a related read on spotting raptors, visit ourfox page.
7. Ready to Bring Your Hawk Sightings Home?
After a day of hawk watching, celebrate your sightings with some hawk-themed gear. Here are a few favorites from Easy Street Markets:
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A classic tee with a vintage peregrine falcon design. Comfortable for field trips and casual wear.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces)
Five detailed hawk stickers for laptops, water bottles, or field notebooks. Great for personalizing your gear.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique tarot-inspired shirt featuring a hawk symbol. Soft cotton with a mystical vibe.Check Price and Availability
For more hawk gifts, browse ourart printsand other categories.
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Hawks in Missouri
**Are there hawks in Missouri year-round?** Yes, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are permanent residents. Others like Broad-winged and Cooper's Hawks are seasonal.
**What is the most common hawk in Missouri?** The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common and widespread.
**Do hawks migrate through Missouri?** Yes, especially in fall along major river corridors.
**Can you see hawks in urban areas of Missouri?** Yes, Red-tailed Hawks often nest in city parks and along highways.
**What should I bring to spot hawks?** Binoculars, a field guide, and a camera with a telephoto lens. A hat and sunscreen help for long sits.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in Missouri: December, January, February
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in Missouri
530,273 verified hawk records have been logged in Missouri, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument · Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary · 321 species recorded
- Loess Bluffs NWR · 313 species recorded
- Smithville Lake (Clay Co.) · 296 species recorded
- Eagle Bluffs CA · 294 species recorded
- Columbia Bottom CA · 291 species recorded
- Busch CA · 288 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What hawk species live in Missouri?+
Hawks in Missouri are most often seen in the western and southern parts of the state, especially the Ozark Plateau and along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Open farmland, grasslands, and forest edges provide prime hunting. Conservation areas like the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge are reliable spots. For a broader look at Missouri wildlife, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
Where can you see hawks in Missouri?+
Hawks in Missouri are most often seen in the western and southern parts of the state, especially the Ozark Plateau and along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Open farmland, grasslands, and forest edges provide prime hunting. Conservation areas like the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge are reliable spots. For a broader look at Missouri wildlife, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
When is the best time to see hawks in Missouri?+
Hawks in Missouri are most often seen in the western and southern parts of the state, especially the Ozark Plateau and along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Open farmland, grasslands, and forest edges provide prime hunting. Conservation areas like the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge are reliable spots. For a broader look at Missouri wildlife, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Missouri
Common questions about hawks