Hawks in Missouri: identification guide and where to start looking
Yes, Missouri hosts several hawk species year-round, with the Red-tailed Hawk being the most common and easiest to identify by its distinctive rusty red tail. Start by checking open fields and highway corridors, especially during late morning when thermals pick up and hawks soar visibly. This guide covers the key field marks to separate lookalikes and the best spots to find them across Missouri's diverse habitats.
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
- December, January, February
- peak months
Where to see them, source eBird
Where hawks are being seen in Missouri
These are public birding hotspots in Missouri where hawks were reported in the last month, most recent first. Recent sightings below include Cooper's Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Each links to its eBird page, where you can see the full checklist and plan a visit.
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways--Big SpringCooper's Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Simpson ParkRed-tailed Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Four Rivers CA (Vernon Co.)Red-tailed Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- MKT Nature and Fitness TrailCooper's Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Little Creve Coeur Ecological AreaRed-tailed Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Close Memorial ParkRed-tailed Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Mapleview ParkCooper's Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
- Ten Mile Pond CARed-tailed Hawkseen Jul 18, 2026
Sightings from eBird, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Wildlife moves, so treat these as recent activity, not a guarantee.
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, Missouri hosts several hawk species year-round, with the Red-tailed Hawk being the most common and easiest to identify by its distinctive rusty red tail. Start by checking open fields and highway corridors, especially during late morning when thermals pick up and hawks soar visibly. This guide covers the key field marks to separate lookalikes and the best spots to find them across Missouri's diverse habitats.
What are the most useful ID markers for Missouri hawks?
Focus on tail color, wing shape, and underwing pattern. Red-tailed Hawks have a rusty red tail and a dark belly band. Red-shouldered Hawks show checkered black-and-white wings and a thin white tail band. Broad-winged Hawks have a thick black-and-white tail band and soar with wings held flat. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks have long tails and short, rounded wings, but Cooper's is larger with a rounded tail tip. For a deeper look at identifying hawks across the region, check ourHawk identification hub.
Where in Missouri should you start looking for hawks?
Open agricultural areas and grasslands in northern and central Missouri offer the best odds. Look along Interstate 70 and US 63 corridors for Red-tailed Hawks perched on power poles. For Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks, head to forested river bottoms like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways or the Mark Twain National Forest. Urban parks like Forest Park in St. Louis also host Cooper's Hawks. For more on the state's prime wildlife zones, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
What is the best season for confident hawk sightings in Missouri?
Spring (March-April) and fall (September-October) during migration are peak times. In spring, Broad-winged Hawks move through in large kettles, sometimes hundreds at a time. Fall sees southbound Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks. Winter offers the best chance to see Rough-legged Hawks from the Arctic. The best time of day is mid-morning to early afternoon when thermal lift develops. Avoid windy days when hawks stay low.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How do you separate Red-tailed Hawks from Red-shouldered Hawks?
Red-tailed Hawks have a solid red tail (adults) and a pale chest with a dark belly band. Red-shouldered Hawks have a rusty belly and bold black-and-white checkering on the wings. In flight, Red-tailed tails are uniformly red above, while Red-shouldered tails show narrow white bands. Red-shoulders also prefer wetter forests near streams, while Red-tails hunt open fields.
Which Missouri hawk is most likely to be seen in suburban areas?
Cooper's Hawks have adapted well to suburbs and are often seen at bird feeders. Their long tail and accipiter shape, short wings, long tail separate them from buteos. They are larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, with a more rounded tail and a darker cap. If you see a hawk dashing through trees after songbirds, it's likely a Cooper's. Visit ourart printsfor detailed illustrations of these birds.
How can you identify hawks by their flight style?
Buteos, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged soar with wings held in a shallow V or flat, while accipiters, Cooper's, Sharp-shinned flap more and glide with wings pulled in. Falcons like the American Kestrel have pointed wings and hover. Watch for tail shape: buteos have short, wide tails; accipiters have long, narrow tails. The Merlin is a small falcon that flies fast and low.
What is the difference between buteos and accipiters?
Buteos are large, broad-winged soaring hawks built for open-country hunting. Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Broad-winged Hawks all belong to this group. Accipiters are smaller, agile forest hunters with long tails and short wings. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks are Missouri's accipiters. Falcons, despite their similar size, have pointed wings and fly fast. Learning these groups helps you narrow down identification quickly in the field.
Can you identify hawk species by call in Missouri?
Most Missouri hawks are silent in the field, but Red-tailed Hawks produce a distinctive piercing scream, sometimes called a hawk screech. This call is often used in movie soundtracks and echoes across open country. Red-shouldered Hawks make a repeated clear whistle, kee-you, kee-you. Cooper's Hawks produce a series of harsh cack-cack-cack calls when alarmed at a nest. Broad-winged Hawks rarely call outside of breeding season. Learning these vocalizations adds another layer to confident identification.
What products can help you enjoy hawk watching in Missouri?
After a day in the field, you might want to display your appreciation. Consider these items to bring the experience home:
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee []() A comfortable tee featuring a classic falcon design, perfect for casual wear or birding outings. Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces) []() Five detailed hawk stickers to decorate your gear or notebook, featuring various species. Check Price and Availability
Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt []() A retro-style shirt with a vintage hawk graphic, great for showing off your interest in birds of prey. 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
What are the best times of day to spot hawks in Missouri?
Mid-morning to early afternoon (10 AM - 2 PM) provides the best thermal lift for soaring hawks. Early morning (7-9 AM) can be good for accipiters hunting at feeders. Late afternoon (4-6 PM) sees hawks returning to roosts. For a full overview of hawk activity patterns, browse ourbald eagle and hawk resources.
How do you tell young hawks from adults?
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks lack the distinctive red tail until their second year, instead showing a brown or tan tail with darker barring. This causes confusion with other species until molt is complete. Red-shouldered juveniles show streaked chests instead of the rusty color seen in adults. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned juveniles are browner and have yellow eyes, while adults are more slate-gray with red or orange eyes. Note these field marks when scanning for hawks in fall, when young birds are dispersing after fledging.
Which Missouri hawk species is rarest or hardest to identify?
Broad-winged Hawks are less common than Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks, appearing mainly during spring and fall migration. Rough-legged Hawks from the Arctic show high variability and overlap significantly with Red-tailed Hawks, making them a true field challenge. Short-tailed Hawks and Harris's Hawks are vagrants to Missouri, occurring only occasionally during irruptive years or as one-off sightings. Focus on the common residents first, then use field guides to tackle rare visitors if you encounter them.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful ID markers for Missouri hawks?+
Focus on tail color, wing shape, and underwing pattern. Red-tailed Hawks have a rusty red tail and a dark belly band. Red-shouldered Hawks show checkered black-and-white wings and a thin white tail band. Broad-winged Hawks have a thick black-and-white tail band and soar with wings held flat. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks have long tails and short, rounded wings, but Cooper's is larger with a rounded tail tip. For a deeper look at identifying hawks across the region, check ourHawk identification hub.
Where in Missouri should you start looking for hawks?+
Open agricultural areas and grasslands in northern and central Missouri offer the best odds. Look along Interstate 70 and US 63 corridors for Red-tailed Hawks perched on power poles. For Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks, head to forested river bottoms like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways or the Mark Twain National Forest. Urban parks like Forest Park in St. Louis also host Cooper's Hawks. For more on the state's prime wildlife zones, see ourMissouri wildlife guide.
What is the best season for confident hawk sightings in Missouri?+
Spring (March-April) and fall (September-October) during migration are peak times. In spring, Broad-winged Hawks move through in large kettles, sometimes hundreds at a time. Fall sees southbound Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks. Winter offers the best chance to see Rough-legged Hawks from the Arctic. The best time of day is mid-morning to early afternoon when thermal lift develops. Avoid windy days when hawks stay low. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How do you separate Red-tailed Hawks from Red-shouldered Hawks?+
Red-tailed Hawks have a solid red tail (adults) and a pale chest with a dark belly band. Red-shouldered Hawks have a rusty belly and bold black-and-white checkering on the wings. In flight, Red-tailed tails are uniformly red above, while Red-shouldered tails show narrow white bands. Red-shoulders also prefer wetter forests near streams, while Red-tails hunt open fields.
Which Missouri hawk is most likely to be seen in suburban areas?+
Cooper's Hawks have adapted well to suburbs and are often seen at bird feeders. Their long tail and accipiter shape, short wings, long tail separate them from buteos. They are larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, with a more rounded tail and a darker cap. If you see a hawk dashing through trees after songbirds, it's likely a Cooper's. Visit ourart printsfor detailed illustrations of these birds.
How can you identify hawks by their flight style?+
Buteos, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged soar with wings held in a shallow V or flat, while accipiters, Cooper's, Sharp-shinned flap more and glide with wings pulled in. Falcons like the American Kestrel have pointed wings and hover. Watch for tail shape: buteos have short, wide tails; accipiters have long, narrow tails. The Merlin is a small falcon that flies fast and low.
What is the difference between buteos and accipiters?+
Buteos are large, broad-winged soaring hawks built for open-country hunting. Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Broad-winged Hawks all belong to this group. Accipiters are smaller, agile forest hunters with long tails and short wings. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks are Missouri's accipiters. Falcons, despite their similar size, have pointed wings and fly fast. Learning these groups helps you narrow down identification quickly in the field.
Can you identify hawk species by call in Missouri?+
Most Missouri hawks are silent in the field, but Red-tailed Hawks produce a distinctive piercing scream, sometimes called a hawk screech. This call is often used in movie soundtracks and echoes across open country. Red-shouldered Hawks make a repeated clear whistle, kee-you, kee-you. Cooper's Hawks produce a series of harsh cack-cack-cack calls when alarmed at a nest. Broad-winged Hawks rarely call outside of breeding season. Learning these vocalizations adds another layer to confident identification.
What products can help you enjoy hawk watching in Missouri?+
After a day in the field, you might want to display your appreciation. Consider these items to bring the experience home: ### Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee []() A comfortable tee featuring a classic falcon design, perfect for casual wear or birding outings. Check Price and Availability ### 5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces) []() Five detailed hawk stickers to decorate your gear or notebook, featuring various species. Check Price and Availability ### Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt []() A retro-style shirt with a vintage hawk graphic, great for showing off your interest in birds of prey. 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
What are the best times of day to spot hawks in Missouri?+
Mid-morning to early afternoon (10 AM - 2 PM) provides the best thermal lift for soaring hawks. Early morning (7-9 AM) can be good for accipiters hunting at feeders. Late afternoon (4-6 PM) sees hawks returning to roosts. For a full overview of hawk activity patterns, browse ourbald eagle and hawk resources.
How do you tell young hawks from adults?+
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks lack the distinctive red tail until their second year, instead showing a brown or tan tail with darker barring. This causes confusion with other species until molt is complete. Red-shouldered juveniles show streaked chests instead of the rusty color seen in adults. Cooper's and Sharp-shinned juveniles are browner and have yellow eyes, while adults are more slate-gray with red or orange eyes. Note these field marks when scanning for hawks in fall, when young birds are dispersing after fledging.
Which Missouri hawk species is rarest or hardest to identify?+
Broad-winged Hawks are less common than Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks, appearing mainly during spring and fall migration. Rough-legged Hawks from the Arctic show high variability and overlap significantly with Red-tailed Hawks, making them a true field challenge. Short-tailed Hawks and Harris's Hawks are vagrants to Missouri, occurring only occasionally during irruptive years or as one-off sightings. Focus on the common residents first, then use field guides to tackle rare visitors if you encounter them.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Missouri