11 Types of Eagles in Virginia
11 types of eagles from the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae) have a verified observation record in Virginia. The most frequently recorded are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
Quick Answer
11 types of eagles from the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae) have a verified observation record in Virginia. The most frequently recorded are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
21,900 verified observations on iNaturalist of eagle have been recorded in Virginia, most often in January, December, February.
| Species recorded in Virginia | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 6,982 |
| Bald Eagle | 6,213 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,451 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,873 |
| Northern Harrier | 496 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 451 |
When eagle are recorded in Virginia
Verified species, source iNaturalist
11 types of eagles recorded in Virginia
11 eagles species have a verified observation record in Virginia 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-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | 6,996 |
| 2 | Bald Eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | 6,218 |
| 3 | Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis | 3,458 |
| 4 | Cooper's Hawk | Astur cooperii | 2,874 |
| 5 | Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | 496 |
| 6 | Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus | 451 |
| 7 | Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus | 403 |
| 8 | Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | 236 |
| 9 | Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | 51 |
| 10 | Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus | 48 |
| 11 | Rough-legged Hawk | Buteo lagopus | 29 |
Plus 2 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Gear and field guides
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is the most commonly recorded, with 6,996 verified observations — about 33% of all eagles reported in Virginia. If you spot a eagle here, it is statistically most likely to be this one.
Virginia also hosts less common eagles such as Golden Eagle, Swallow-tailed Kite and Rough-legged Hawk, each recorded fewer than 100 times. These are the species worth a second look when you are out, since a sighting is more notable.