From the Shawnee National Forest and the majestic Mississippi River, Illinois offers a unique haven for wildlife. Among its natural treasures are the hawks that grace its skies. In the United States, there are at least 16 different species of hawks, each finding its niche in the varied climates and abundant food sources provided by different states. In this article, we’ll explore the hawks of Illinois – learning about the species that can be found in this vibrant state and uncovering some details about each one.
Illinois has 9 hawk species that are residents to the state; the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Rough-legged Hawk, the Northern Harrier, and the Swainson’s Hawk.
There have been a few reports of the Ferruginous Hawk in the state of Illinois, but the raptor does not have an official range within the state so we did not include it on this list.
With that said, if want to know a little bit about these amazing raptors in Illinois and what they look like… then keep reading!
1. Red-tailed Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
Length: 17.7-25.6 in
Weight: 24.3-51.5 oz
Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in
Red-tailed Hawks are probably the most common hawks in the U.S. with almost 2 million nesting hawks in North America. This number accounts for about 90% of the global Red-tailed Hawk population. These large hawks live in Illinois and most of North America all year long.
Red-tailed Hawks are most active during the day or early morning and are commonly seen soaring above looking for prey with their amazing vision or perched along the roadside on telephone poles. They aren’t often seen in backyards lurking around feeders because they prey on larger animals that just songbirds.
Learn more about the Red-tailed Hawk here.
2. Red-shouldered Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus
Length: 16.9-24.0 in
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