Hawks in New Jersey: where to see them and how to identify them
Yes, hawks are common in New Jersey. Your best bet is to head to the northwest part of the state, especially the Delaware Water Gap or the Raptor Trust, or coastal sites like Cape May in fall. Here’s a quick guide to finding them.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Northern Harrier · Mila C. CC BY
Sharp-shinned Hawk · Corey Farwell CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 1,086,879
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- October, March, January
- peak months
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 New Jersey
12 hawk species have a verified observation record in New Jersey 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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2
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4
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6
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8
9
10
11
12
Plus 4 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
13,280 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in New Jersey, most often in October, March, January.
When hawk are recorded in New Jersey
Yes, hawks are common in New Jersey. Your best bet is to head to the northwest part of the state, especially the Delaware Water Gap or the Raptor Trust, or coastal sites like Cape May in fall. Here’s a quick guide to finding them.
What species of hawks can I find in New Jersey?
New Jersey hosts several resident and migrant hawk species. You'll commonly see Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Bald Eagles are also present but are a separate species. For a full list, check ouranimals/hawkpage.
In New Jersey, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where are the best places to spot hawks in New Jersey?
For reliable sightings, visit the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (especially near Kittatinny Point) or the Raptor Trust in Millington. Coastal sites like Cape May Point State Park are exceptional during fall migration. More locations are covered on ourwildlife/new-jerseypage.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around best season or time of day, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in New Jersey. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
When is the best time of year and day for hawk watching?
Peak migration times are mid-September through November for fall, and March through April for spring. The best time of day is mid-morning to early afternoon, when thermals form. Watch for birds circling high on clear, breezy days.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How can I identify a hawk vs. a similar bird of prey?
Focus on tail shape, wing shape, and flight style. Red-tails have a short, broad tail and a dark belly band; Cooper’s Hawks have a long, banded tail and flap-flap-glide pattern. Compare size: a Sharp-shinned is small (crow-sized), a Cooper’s is larger. For detailed visuals, browse ourart-printsfor identification charts.
What should I bring for a hawk watching trip?
Binoculars (8x42 recommended), a field guide, and a notebook. A hat and sunscreen help for long waits. Some birders use a scope for distant birds. If you want to carry a hawk-themed reminder of the trip, check out the gear below.
Where can I find hawk-themed gear and art?
If you want to celebrate your sightings, consider these pieces:
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A retro design featuring a Peregrine Falcon, perfect for birders.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces)
A set of hawk car stickers for your water bottle or laptop.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique tarot-inspired design for hawk lovers.Check Price and Availability
For more hawk art, visit ourart-printscollection.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Do hawks live in New Jersey year-round?** Many species like Red-tailed Hawks are year-round residents, while others like Broad-winged Hawks only pass through during migration.
**What is the largest hawk in New Jersey?** The Red-tailed Hawk is the largest buteos found here. Bald Eagles are larger but are a different family.
**Can I see hawks in my backyard?** Yes, especially Cooper’s Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks in suburban areas with wooded lots. Keep an eye on bird feeders.
**Are hawks protected in New Jersey?** Yes, all raptors are protected under state and federal laws. Do not disturb nests.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in New Jersey: October, March, January
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in New Jersey
1,086,879 verified hawk records have been logged in New Jersey, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Great Egg Harbor River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Morristown National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument · Find hotels
- Gateway National Recreation Area · Find hotels
- Cape Island--CMP (Cape May Point) · 379 species recorded
- Cape Island--Cape May Point SP (CMPSP) · 376 species recorded
- Sandy Hook · 371 species recorded
- Cape Island* (Cape May Co. south of the Cape May canal) · 368 species recorded
- Cape Island--CMP--Coral Ave. dune crossing · 358 species recorded
- Cape Island--South Cape May Meadows (SCMM) · 355 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What hawk species live in New Jersey?+
New Jersey hosts several resident and migrant hawk species. You'll commonly see Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Bald Eagles are also present but are a separate species. For a full list, check ouranimals/hawkpage. In New Jersey, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where can you see hawks in New Jersey?+
New Jersey hosts several resident and migrant hawk species. You'll commonly see Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Bald Eagles are also present but are a separate species. For a full list, check ouranimals/hawkpage. In New Jersey, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
When is the best time to see hawks in New Jersey?+
New Jersey hosts several resident and migrant hawk species. You'll commonly see Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Bald Eagles are also present but are a separate species. For a full list, check ouranimals/hawkpage. In New Jersey, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.