13 Types of Hawks in Nebraska
Nebraska is home to several hawk species year-round, with Red-tailed, Cooper's, and Swainson's Hawks being most common. Your best odds for sightings are along the Platte River or in the Pine Ridge area during fall migration. This guide covers field marks, lookalikes, and timing to help you identify hawks confidently.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 6, 2026.
Verified species, source iNaturalist
13 types of hawks recorded in Nebraska
13 hawk species have a verified observation record in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | American GoshawkAstur atricapillus | Astur atricapillus | 17 |
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.
Nebraska is home to several hawk species year-round, with Red-tailed, Cooper's, and Swainson's Hawks being most common. Your best odds for sightings are along the Platte River or in the Pine Ridge area during fall migration. This guide covers field marks, lookalikes, and timing to help you identify hawks confidently.
What are the most common hawk species in Nebraska?
You'll most often see **Red-tailed Hawks** perched on poles along highways. **Swainson's Hawks** are common in summer, especially in the west. **Cooper's Hawks** stick to wooded areas and backyards. **Ferruginous Hawks** favor open grasslands in the Panhandle. For a full list of species, visit ourhawk identification hub.
How can you identify hawks in Nebraska by field marks?
Start with size and shape. Red-tailed Hawks are bulky with a short, squared tail. Cooper's Hawks are medium, with a long rounded tail and a dark cap. Swainson's Hawks have a pointed wingtips and a dark belly band. Look for a **white chest** in Red-tails, and a **barred belly** in Cooper's. For detailed side-by-side comparisons, check theNebraska wildlife guide.
Where in Nebraska should you start looking for hawks?
Start with the **Platte River corridor**, especially near the Rowe Sanctuary. The **Pine Ridge** region in the northwest offers Ferruginous and Red-tailed Hawks. **Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area** attracts migrating Broad-winged Hawks in fall. **Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge** is good for Swainson's and Northern Harriers. Always scan fence posts and dead trees.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What time of year offers the best hawk sightings?
**Late August through October** is prime for migrating hawks, especially along the Platte River and the Niobrara River valley. Spring migration (April to early May) also brings many Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks. Resident Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks breed from March to July and are visible all year. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best hunting activity.
How do you tell apart Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks?
These lookalikes are the most confusing pair. Cooper's Hawks are **larger** (crow-sized) with a rounded tail tip, while Sharp-shinned are **pigeon-sized** with a square tail. Cooper's have a darker cap and thicker legs. In flight, Cooper's glides with flat wings, Sharp-shinned flaps more. For more tips, see ourhawk identification guide.
What do Red-tailed Hawks look like in Nebraska?
Adults have a **rufous tail** visible from above. The belly is white with a dark band. Eastern birds (Buteo jamaicensis borealis) are darker, while western birds (Buteo jamaicensis calurus) have a streaked chest. Juveniles show a brown tail with narrow dark bars. These are the hawks you'll see on telephone poles across the state.
What other hawk species might you see in Nebraska?
**Rough-legged Hawks** visit in winter from the Arctic, showing a dark belly and white tail base. **Broad-winged Hawks** pass through in large flocks during migration, best seen at hawk watches like **Hitchcock Nature Center**. **Northern Harriers** glide low over marshes with a white rump patch. Each species has unique habits and field marks.
What should you bring for hawk watching in Nebraska?
A good pair of **binoculars** (8x or 10x) is essential. A field guide or a birding app helps with quick IDs. Many birders also enjoy carrying a small notepad and a hat for sun protection. For those who want to show their love for these birds, consider a hawk-themed shirt or sticker. Here are some popular picks:
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A classic design that sparks conversations about raptors. Lightweight and great for field days.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set
Five designs to decorate your gear or notebook. Perfect for sharing your interest with others.Check Price and Availability
Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt
A subtle nod to Nebraska's hawks. Soft cotton, great for casual wear after a day outdoors.Check Price and Availability
For more artwork and apparel, browse ourbird wall art.
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Frequently Asked Questions about Hawks in Nebraska?
**Are there any rare hawks in Nebraska?** Yes, **Swainson's Hawks** are fairly common but **Ferruginous Hawks** are less so. **Gyrfalcons** are very rare winter visitors.
**Can I see hawks in my backyard?** Cooper's Hawks often visit bird feeders for doves and squirrels. Red-tailed Hawks are less common in urban areas.
**What is the best app for hawk identification?** Many birders use Merlin Bird ID or iBird Pro. The Nebraska Game and Parks website also has checklists.
**Do hawks migrate through Nebraska?** Yes, especially Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks. The Hitchcock Nature Center near Omaha holds a hawk watch each fall.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common hawk species in Nebraska?+
You'll most often see **Red-tailed Hawks** perched on poles along highways. **Swainson's Hawks** are common in summer, especially in the west. **Cooper's Hawks** stick to wooded areas and backyards. **Ferruginous Hawks** favor open grasslands in the Panhandle. For a full list of species, visit ourhawk identification hub.
How can you identify hawks in Nebraska by field marks?+
Start with size and shape. Red-tailed Hawks are bulky with a short, squared tail. Cooper's Hawks are medium, with a long rounded tail and a dark cap. Swainson's Hawks have a pointed wingtips and a dark belly band. Look for a **white chest** in Red-tails, and a **barred belly** in Cooper's. For detailed side-by-side comparisons, check theNebraska wildlife guide.
Where in Nebraska should you start looking for hawks?+
Start with the **Platte River corridor**, especially near the Rowe Sanctuary. The **Pine Ridge** region in the northwest offers Ferruginous and Red-tailed Hawks. **Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area** attracts migrating Broad-winged Hawks in fall. **Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge** is good for Swainson's and Northern Harriers. Always scan fence posts and dead trees. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What time of year offers the best hawk sightings?+
**Late August through October** is prime for migrating hawks, especially along the Platte River and the Niobrara River valley. Spring migration (April to early May) also brings many Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks. Resident Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks breed from March to July and are visible all year. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best hunting activity.
How do you tell apart Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks?+
These lookalikes are the most confusing pair. Cooper's Hawks are **larger** (crow-sized) with a rounded tail tip, while Sharp-shinned are **pigeon-sized** with a square tail. Cooper's have a darker cap and thicker legs. In flight, Cooper's glides with flat wings, Sharp-shinned flaps more. For more tips, see ourhawk identification guide.
What do Red-tailed Hawks look like in Nebraska?+
Adults have a **rufous tail** visible from above. The belly is white with a dark band. Eastern birds (Buteo jamaicensis borealis) are darker, while western birds (Buteo jamaicensis calurus) have a streaked chest. Juveniles show a brown tail with narrow dark bars. These are the hawks you'll see on telephone poles across the state.
What other hawk species might you see in Nebraska?+
**Rough-legged Hawks** visit in winter from the Arctic, showing a dark belly and white tail base. **Broad-winged Hawks** pass through in large flocks during migration, best seen at hawk watches like **Hitchcock Nature Center**. **Northern Harriers** glide low over marshes with a white rump patch. Each species has unique habits and field marks.
What should you bring for hawk watching in Nebraska?+
A good pair of **binoculars** (8x or 10x) is essential. A field guide or a birding app helps with quick IDs. Many birders also enjoy carrying a small notepad and a hat for sun protection. For those who want to show their love for these birds, consider a hawk-themed shirt or sticker. Here are some popular picks: ### Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee A classic design that sparks conversations about raptors. Lightweight and great for field days.Check Price and Availability ### 5X Hawk Sticker Set Five designs to decorate your gear or notebook. Perfect for sharing your interest with others.Check Price and Availability ### Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt A subtle nod to Nebraska's hawks. Soft cotton, great for casual wear after a day outdoors.Check Price and Availability For more artwork and apparel, browse ourbird wall art. ### Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Frequently Asked Questions about Hawks in Nebraska?+
**Are there any rare hawks in Nebraska?** Yes, **Swainson's Hawks** are fairly common but **Ferruginous Hawks** are less so. **Gyrfalcons** are very rare winter visitors. **Can I see hawks in my backyard?** Cooper's Hawks often visit bird feeders for doves and squirrels. Red-tailed Hawks are less common in urban areas. **What is the best app for hawk identification?** Many birders use Merlin Bird ID or iBird Pro. The Nebraska Game and Parks website also has checklists. **Do hawks migrate through Nebraska?** Yes, especially Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks. The Hitchcock Nature Center near Omaha holds a hawk watch each fall. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Nebraska