Hawks in Oregon: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them
Yes, Oregon hosts a variety of hawk species year-round. For the best odds, start in the high desert east of the Cascades or along the coast. Red-tailed Hawks are the most common, but you can also spot Red-shouldered, Cooper's, and Northern Harriers in different habitats.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Millie Basden CC BY
Western Red-tailed Hawk · Matthew Cozart CC BY-ND
Bald Eagle · jayjt CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 1,134,482
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- December, January, April
- 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
13 types of hawks recorded in Oregon
13 hawk species have a verified observation record in Oregon 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 Oregon
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus | Buteo platypterus | 11 |
Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
27,612 verified observations on iNaturalist of hawk have been recorded in Oregon, most often in December, January, April.
When hawk are recorded in Oregon
Yes, Oregon hosts a variety of hawk species year-round. For the best odds, start in the high desert east of the Cascades or along the coast. Red-tailed Hawks are the most common, but you can also spot Red-shouldered, Cooper's, and Northern Harriers in different habitats.
1. Where in Oregon are hawk sightings most likely?
Eastern Oregon's open high desert offers the best odds for Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks. The Willamette Valley's farmlands and oak savannas hold Red-shouldered and Swainson's Hawks in summer. Coastal headlands like Cape Meares see migrating Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks in spring and fall. Check ourOregon wildlife pagefor more regional tips.
In Oregon, 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.
2. What is the best season or time of day to see hawks?
Spring migration (March-May) and fall (September-October) bring the highest numbers. Early morning, from sunrise to about 10 a.m., is prime hunting time. On warm afternoons, look for hawks circling in thermals. Winter is good for resident Red-tails and Rough-legged Hawks in open fields.
3. How can I identify common Oregon hawks and tell them apart from similar species?
Start with the tail. Red-tailed Hawks have a rusty red upper tail (adults). Red-shouldered Hawks show bold black-and-white bands on tail and wings. Cooper's Hawks have a rounded tail with a white tip, while Sharp-shinned Hawks have a square tail. Northern Harriers have a white rump patch and glide low over marshes. For detailed identification help, visit ourhawk species hub.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What habitats do different hawks prefer in Oregon?
Red-tailed Hawks thrive in open country with scattered trees. Red-shouldered Hawks stick to bottomland forests and swamps. Cooper's Hawks hunt backyard birds in suburbs. Northern Harriers patrol wetlands and grasslands. Ferruginous Hawks favor dry sagebrush steppe east of the Cascades.
5. Are there any hawk watching hotspots or events in Oregon?
Bonney Butte near Mount Hood is a renowned migration monitoring site run by HawkWatch International. The autumnal raptor count there peaks in September. Other good spots include the Klamath Basin, Sauvie Island, and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Spring watch sites along the Columbia River Gorge also offer good flights.
7. What gear or souvenirs can help me remember my hawk sightings?
After a day in the field, bring home a bit of the experience. The **Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee** is a classic for birders.
Peregrine Falcon Retro Graphic Tee
A soft, vintage-style tee featuring a detailed peregrine falcon illustration. Great for casual wear or layering on cool mornings.Check Price and Availability
5X Hawk Sticker Set (5 pieces)
Five durable vinyl stickers featuring different hawk species. Decorate your water bottle, laptop, or field notebook.Check Price and Availability
Hawk Tarot Card T-Shirt
A unique design combining a hawk illustration with tarot card styling. Perfect for birders who appreciate a touch of the mystical.Check Price and Availability
For more art and decor, browse ourbird wall art collection.
8. Frequently asked questions about hawks in Oregon
**What is the largest hawk in Oregon?** The Ferruginous Hawk, with a wingspan over four feet, is the largest buteo in the state. It's most common in the sagebrush steppe of eastern Oregon.
**Do hawks live in urban areas?** Yes, Cooper's Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks adapt to cities. They nest in tall trees and hunt pigeons and squirrels in parks and backyards.
**How can I tell a hawk from an eagle?** Eagles are larger with longer wings held flat when soaring. Hawks are smaller and often fly with a slight dihedral (v-shape). Bald Eagles also have a white head and tail as adults.
**When do hawks migrate through Oregon?** Spring migration peaks April-May, fall migration peaks September-October. The best sites see thousands of raptors passing overhead.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see hawk in Oregon: December, January, April
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your hawk sighting in Oregon
1,134,482 verified hawk records have been logged in Oregon, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Nez Perce National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Malheur NWR (general) · 367 species recorded
- Malheur NWR--Headquarters · 326 species recorded
- North Spit of Coos Bay · 305 species recorded
- Fern Ridge WMA (general) · 303 species recorded
- Yaquina Bay · 303 species recorded
- Fort Stevens SP · 298 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What hawk species live in Oregon?+
Eastern Oregon's open high desert offers the best odds for Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks. The Willamette Valley's farmlands and oak savannas hold Red-shouldered and Swainson's Hawks in summer. Coastal headlands like Cape Meares see migrating Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks in spring and fall. Check ourOregon wildlife pagefor more regional tips. In Oregon, 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 Oregon?+
Eastern Oregon's open high desert offers the best odds for Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks. The Willamette Valley's farmlands and oak savannas hold Red-shouldered and Swainson's Hawks in summer. Coastal headlands like Cape Meares see migrating Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks in spring and fall. Check ourOregon wildlife pagefor more regional tips. In Oregon, 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 Oregon?+
Eastern Oregon's open high desert offers the best odds for Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks. The Willamette Valley's farmlands and oak savannas hold Red-shouldered and Swainson's Hawks in summer. Coastal headlands like Cape Meares see migrating Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks in spring and fall. Check ourOregon wildlife pagefor more regional tips. In Oregon, 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.
Keep exploring
More places to see hawk
More wildlife in Oregon