Hawks in Oregon: Species Guide & Gifts

The Short Answer: Oregon hosts 14 species of hawks, including year-round residents like Red-tailed Hawks and seasonal visitors like Swainson's Hawks. They thrive in diverse habitats from the Coast Range to the high desert. You can spot them hunting during the day in open areas, and the best way to show off your love for these birds is with a good hawk t-shirt or sticker set.

What Hawks Live in Oregon?

Oregon is a prime hawk watching state. I can trace my own interest back to a summer job near Klamath Falls where I saw my first Ferruginous Hawk perched on a fence post, a memory that sticks with me every time I drive that stretch of road. The state has a mix of year-round residents, winter visitors, and migrants that pass through during spring and fall.

The most common hawks you will see here are the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Swainson's Hawk. Rough-legged Hawks visit in winter from the Arctic. The western side of the state along the coast and Willamette Valley is best for Red-shouldered and Cooper's Hawks. Head east of the Cascades into the high desert for Ferruginous, Swainson's, and Rough-legged Hawks.

If you want a deeper look at species across the nation, our guide to falcons and raptors covers the broader family.

Where to Find the Best Places to See Hawks in Oregon

The best hawk watching in Oregon happens in open country. The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges are famous for wintering raptors. My mom used to take me there on cold mornings, and we would tally Red-tails and Golden Eagles from the car. Other excellent spots include Sauvie Island near Portland, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in the southeast, and the Columbia River Gorge for migrating accipiters.

Look for hawks along highways where they perch on power poles and fences. The wide agricultural valleys east of the Cascades are excellent for seeing Swainson's and Ferruginous Hawks in summer.

What Are the Gifts for Hawk Watchers in Oregon?

Hawk lovers in Oregon have a specific kind of pride. These are people who sit in the rain at Baskett Slough with a spotting scope or drive hours for a single Ferruginous Hawk sighting. Here are the best gifts for them and for you, all available right now.

Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee

This shirt has a clean retro design that works well with jeans or hiking pants. The Peregrine Falcon is a bit of a cheat for a hawk guide since it is technically a falcon, but birders love them just as much. It fits true to size and the graphic holds up through repeated washes. Check Price and Availability

Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt

The tarot card design is a fun twist on standard bird shirts. It shows a hawk framed like a classic tarot illustration, which makes it a good conversation starter at birding meetups or farmers markets. The fabric is a soft cotton blend. Check Price and Availability

Vintage Hawk Retro Hawk Bird T-Shirt

This one looks like it came straight out of a 1970s field guide. The vintage color palette and line drawing style appeal to birders who like a more classic look. I bought one for a road trip down the Oregon coast and got compliments at every stop. Check Price and Availability

Peregrine Falcon Bird of Prey T-Shirt

Another falcon shirt, but this one focuses on the bird in mid-dive. The art captures the speed of these birds perfectly. It is a good option for falconers or anyone who appreciates the hunting style of raptors. Check Price and Availability

Hawk Screenprint Bird Graphic T-Shirt

The screenprint gives this shirt a slightly textured feel that looks handmade. The hawk illustration is detailed enough to identify the species but stylized enough to wear as an art piece. It runs a bit small, so consider sizing up. Check Price and Availability

5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces): Bird of Prey Car Stickers, Forest, Nature, Falconer, Bird

This set gives you five different hawk designs for the price of a coffee. They are good for decorating a water bottle, laptop, or the back of a field notebook. The print quality is solid, and each design is different enough to keep things interesting. Check Price and Availability

Hawkward Awkward Hawk Pun T-Shirt

The pun is the whole point of this shirt. "Hawkward" is printed in a bold font over a line drawing of a hawk looking somewhat embarrassed. It is a lighthearted shirt for birders who do not take themselves too seriously. Check Price and Availability

Artistic Hawk Graphic T-Shirt

This boho-style shirt uses softer colors and a more abstract bird shape. It works for casual outings or nature festivals. The fit is loose and comfortable, and the design stands out from typical bird illustrations. Check Price and Availability

Red-tailed Hawk Sticker, water-resistant, bird lover gift

This is a detailed sticker of the most common hawk in Oregon. It is water-resistant, so it will survive on a water bottle or car window. I put one on my spotting scope case and it still looks new after a full season of rain. Check Price and Availability

Falconer Graphic T-Shirt

This shirt is aimed directly at falconers. The design features a gauntlet and a raptor silhouette. It is subtle enough to wear every day but clearly signals your interest to anyone in the know. The price is hard to beat. Check Price and Availability

Raptor Sticker Sheets | 6 Different Birds | Round Waterproof Stickers

Six round stickers in one sheet, each with a different raptor species. The art is realistic enough for identification and the stickers are waterproof. These are a solid add-on to any shirt order. Check Price and Availability

Birds of Prey Sticker Sheet - Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Osprey, Kestrel

This sheet covers five major groups of birds of prey. The illustrations are clean and each bird is labeled. It is a solid teaching tool for kids or a quick reference for identifying the big silhouettes you see along the roadside. Check Price and Availability

Proud Californian Red Tail Hawk Lover Orange County Red-Tailed Hawk T-Shirt

Yes it says California, but Oregon birders know Red-tails are everywhere. The design is bold with a large hawk silhouette and text. It is a good shirt for anyone proud of their Red-tailed Hawks even if the state name is not quite right. Check Price and Availability

All Types of Animals F&L Design Co. Hawks North America T-Shirt

This shirt has a map of North America with different hawk species placed in their ranges. It is educational and wearable. The STANDARD 100 certification means the fabric is tested for harmful substances, which matters if your skin is sensitive. Check Price and Availability

Watercolor Falconry & Birdwatching Wildlife Design Red Tailed Hawk T-Shirt

The watercolor style gives this Red-tailed Hawk a soft, artistic feel. It looks like a painting you would hang on a wall but printed on a comfortable cotton shirt. I have seen similar designs at birding festivals and they always sell out. Check Price and Availability

How to Identify Hawks in Oregon

Red-tailed Hawks have a brick-red tail visible from below when they soar. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with dark bands and a cap-like head. Sharp-shinned Hawks look similar but are smaller, about the size of a jay. Northern Harriers have a white rump patch and a low, gliding flight over marshes. Swainson's Hawks have long, pointed wings compared to the broader wings of Red-tails.

Learn more about identifying individual species in our hawks species guide. If you are visiting from out of state, check out our guide to hawks in Washington or hawks in California for border area species.

When Do Hawks Migrate in Oregon?

Spring migration peaks in April and May. Fall migration runs from September through November. Swainson's Hawks leave Oregon by early October for their trip to Argentina. Rough-legged Hawks arrive in October and stay through March. Look for kettles of migrating hawks at major ridgelines in the Columbia Gorge and along the east slope of the Cascades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common hawk in Oregon? The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common and widespread hawk in Oregon. You can see them year-round in every county.

Are there Peregrine Falcons in Oregon? Yes. Peregrine Falcons nest on cliffs along the Oregon coast and in the Columbia Gorge. They are rare but increasing.

Where can I see Ferruginous Hawks in Oregon? Look for Ferruginous Hawks in the high desert east of the Cascades, especially around Lake County and Harney County.

Do Cooper's Hawks live in Oregon year-round? Yes. Cooper's Hawks are year-round residents in Oregon, especially in wooded suburbs and forests.

Is it legal to own hawk feathers in Oregon? No. All native birds of prey are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to possess feathers, nests, or eggs without a permit.