12 Types of Eagles in New Jersey
12 types of eagles from the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae) have a verified observation record in New Jersey. The most frequently recorded are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
Quick Answer
12 types of eagles from the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae) have a verified observation record in New Jersey. The most frequently recorded are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
13,240 verified observations on iNaturalist of eagle have been recorded in New Jersey, most often in October, March, January.
| Species recorded in New Jersey | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4,766 |
| Bald Eagle | 3,143 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,238 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 952 |
| Northern Harrier | 767 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 484 |
When eagle are recorded in New Jersey
Verified species, source iNaturalist
12 types of eagles recorded in New Jersey
12 eagles species have a verified observation record in New Jersey across the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
| # | Species | Scientific name | Verified records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis | 4,772 |
| 2 | Bald Eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | 3,148 |
| 3 | Cooper's Hawk | Astur cooperii | 2,242 |
| 4 | Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | 953 |
| 5 | Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | 767 |
| 6 | Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus | 484 |
| 7 | Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus | 250 |
| 8 | Rough-legged Hawk | Buteo lagopus | 77 |
| 9 | Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | 75 |
| 10 | Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | 31 |
| 11 | Swainson's Hawk | Buteo swainsoni | 20 |
| 12 | Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus | 20 |
Plus 4 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Gear and field guides
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most commonly recorded, with 4,772 verified observations — about 37% of all eagles reported in New Jersey. If you spot a eagle here, it is statistically most likely to be this one.
New Jersey also hosts less common eagles such as Rough-legged Hawk, Mississippi Kite and Golden Eagle, each recorded fewer than 100 times. These are the species worth a second look when you are out, since a sighting is more notable.