12 Types of Hawks in Missouri
Missouri is home to at least eight regularly occurring hawk species, with occasional rare visitors. The eight core species you're most likely to encounter are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Ferruginous Hawk. The best place to start identification is along the Missouri and Mississippi River corridors, where Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are most common. Check open woodlands and prairies for the best odds. Understanding the differences between these species comes down to a few key field marks: tail pattern, wing shape, body size, and flight behavior. Once you know what to look for, you'll spot hawks far more often.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 26, 2026.
- 8
- species recorded
- December, January, February
- peak months
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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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
Missouri is home to at least eight regularly occurring hawk species, with occasional rare visitors. The eight core species you're most likely to encounter are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Ferruginous Hawk. The best place to start identification is along the Missouri and Mississippi River corridors, where Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are most common. Check open woodlands and prairies for the best odds. Understanding the differences between these species comes down to a few key field marks: tail pattern, wing shape, body size, and flight behavior. Once you know what to look for, you'll spot hawks far more often.
What are the most useful ID markers for hawks in Missouri?
Focus on tail pattern, wing shape, and overall size. Red-tailed Hawks show a distinctive rusty tail from above. Broad-winged Hawks have bold black-and-white tail bands. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with a white tip, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail. Also note the chest markings: adult Red-shouldered Hawks have heavy reddish barring. Size is your second filter: Red-tailed and Ferruginous are large buteos (perching hawks); Sharp-shinned and Cooper's are small to medium accipiters (forest hawks with short, broad wings); Northern Harrier is medium-sized and hunts low over fields. Swainson's and Broad-winged fall in between as medium buteos.
Which hawk species are most often confused with each other?
The trickiest pair is Cooper's Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Look at the head size: Cooper's has a large head that projects well beyond the wrist in flight, while Sharp-shinned has a small head. Also check tail shape: rounded on Cooper's, square on Sharp-shinned. Another common mix-up is Red-tailed vs. Red-shouldered. Red-shouldered has a banded tail and a pale crescent near the wingtips, while Red-tailed has a solid reddish tail on adults. In early fall, juvenile Red-shouldered and Red-tailed can be especially tricky because both show dark tails. In those cases, look for Red-shouldered's pale crescents in the flight feathers and the overall slimmer build.
Where in Missouri do people usually notice hawks first?
The highest density of hawk sightings happens along major rivers, especially the Missouri and Mississippi. Hawk Ridge in Grafton, just north of St. Louis, is a known watch site. Also check the Ozark Plateau for Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks. Open grasslands in the northern half of the state are good for Northern Harriers. For more specific refuges, check ourMissouri wildlife guide. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What time of year gives the best odds for hawk sightings?
Spring migration (March to May) and fall migration (September to November) are peak periods, especially for Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks. Resident species like Red-tailed and Red-shouldered can be seen year-round, but winter is often easiest because leaves are down and hawks perch more conspicuously. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for identification.
What are the most common hawk species in Missouri?
The eight regular species are: Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, and the rare but possible Ferruginous Hawk. Red-tailed is by far the most common, seen along roadsides and perched on poles. For detailed profiles on each species, head to ourhawk hub.
How can you identify a hawk in flight?
Watch for wing shape (broad and rounded vs. pointed) and flight style. Red-tailed Hawks soar with wings in a slight dihedral. Broad-winged Hawks glide on flat wings. Cooper's Hawks fly with a flap-flap-glide rhythm. Northern Harriers glide low over fields with wings held in a distinct V. Also note the underwing pattern: Red-shouldered shows translucent crescents near wingtips.
How do you tell juveniles from adults in Missouri hawk species?
Age and plumage are critical for accurate ID. Red-tailed Hawks show the clearest age difference: adults have a rusty tail, while juveniles have a banded brown tail. Red-shouldered juveniles lack the heavy reddish barring of adults and instead show a softer, streaked chest. Broad-winged juveniles are much paler than adults and lack bold tail bands. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's juveniles are brown and heavily streaked below, making them look very different from slate-backed adults. With Northern Harrier, juveniles are dark brown overall, while adult males are gray and adult females are brown. The real key is to spend time with field guides and photos of the same species at different ages. Many misidentifications happen when birders expect a certain plumage and don't account for age.
Which Missouri hawk species are rare or irregular visitors?
Ferruginous Hawk is the rarest of the eight core species. It is a large western buteo that occasionally wanders east during winter and migration, but sightings in Missouri are uncommon. When Ferruginous does appear, it's usually in open grassland or prairie habitat in the northern or western portions of the state. Other rarer visitors include Rough-legged Hawk (arctic species, shows up irregularly in winter) and occasional Golden Eagles (not hawks but raptors, often mistaken for large Red-tailed variants). If you spot something large and unusual, check the Rare Bird Alerts from Missouri Audubon to see if others have reported similar sightings. Be honest in your own identification: if you're unsure, take photos and consult experienced birders rather than adding unconfirmed sightings to your list.
What habitats in Missouri are best for each hawk type?
Red-tailed Hawks are generalists and appear in open fields, forest edges, and even urban areas. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer wooded streams and swamps, especially in the Ozarks. Cooper's Hawks hunt in deciduous and mixed forests, often around suburban areas. Sharp-shinned Hawks also prefer wooded habitats and will visit backyards with bird feeders. Broad-winged Hawks favor mixed forests during breeding season and migrate through open grasslands in fall. Swainson's Hawks prefer open prairie and grassland, especially during migration. Northern Harriers hunt over open marshes, grasslands, and prairie. Ferruginous Hawks, when present, stick to open grassland and prairie. Matching the habitat to the species narrows your search significantly.
What hawk-themed items can help you remember your sightings?
If you want to bring a bit of your hawk-watching home, consider the Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt or the Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee for a subtle bird of prey look. The 5X Hawk Sticker Set makes it easy to tag your gear or field notebook. Check out ourbird wall artfor more display options.
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique design featuring a hawk illustration, perfect for casual wear or as a conversation starter.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces)
A set of five bird of prey stickers for decorating laptops, water bottles, or field journals.Check Price and Availability
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A vintage-style shirt that appeals to falconry fans and bird observers alike.Check Price and Availability
Frequently asked questions about hawks in Missouri?
**What is the largest hawk in Missouri?** The Ferruginous Hawk, though rare, is the largest buteo, with a wingspan up to 5 feet. **Do hawks stay in Missouri year-round?** Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Cooper's Hawks are year-round residents; Broad-winged and Swainson's migrate. **Where can I watch hawk migration?** Try the Mississippi River flyway at places like Hawk Ridge in Grafton. **What should I do if I find an injured hawk?** Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. **How do I photograph hawks in the field?** Use a telephoto lens (at least 400mm), shoot in early morning or late afternoon light, and approach slowly to avoid flushing the bird.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
What types of hawks live in Missouri?+
Focus on tail pattern, wing shape, and overall size. Red-tailed Hawks show a distinctive rusty tail from above. Broad-winged Hawks have bold black-and-white tail bands. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with a white tip, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail. Also note the chest markings: adult Red-shouldered Hawks have heavy reddish barring. Size is your second filter: Red-tailed and Ferruginous are large buteos (perching hawks); Sharp-shinned and Cooper's are small to medium accipiters (forest hawks with short, broad wings); Northern Harrier is medium-sized and hunts low over fields. Swainson's and Broad-winged fall in between as medium buteos.
How do you tell hawks apart in Missouri?+
Focus on tail pattern, wing shape, and overall size. Red-tailed Hawks show a distinctive rusty tail from above. Broad-winged Hawks have bold black-and-white tail bands. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with a white tip, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail. Also note the chest markings: adult Red-shouldered Hawks have heavy reddish barring. Size is your second filter: Red-tailed and Ferruginous are large buteos (perching hawks); Sharp-shinned and Cooper's are small to medium accipiters (forest hawks with short, broad wings); Northern Harrier is medium-sized and hunts low over fields. Swainson's and Broad-winged fall in between as medium buteos.
Which hawk is most common in Missouri?+
Focus on tail pattern, wing shape, and overall size. Red-tailed Hawks show a distinctive rusty tail from above. Broad-winged Hawks have bold black-and-white tail bands. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with a white tip, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail. Also note the chest markings: adult Red-shouldered Hawks have heavy reddish barring. Size is your second filter: Red-tailed and Ferruginous are large buteos (perching hawks); Sharp-shinned and Cooper's are small to medium accipiters (forest hawks with short, broad wings); Northern Harrier is medium-sized and hunts low over fields. Swainson's and Broad-winged fall in between as medium buteos.
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