Hawks are quite impressive predators. Everything from their keen hearing and eyesight to their sharp beak and talons comes together to make them expert birds of prey. Throughout history humans, using training and falconry, have benefitted from hawks hunting prowess. There are approximately 16 species of hawks living across the United States. But in this article, we’re going to discuss the 8 species of hawks in New Jersey.
The species of hawks that can be found in New Jersey are the broad-winged hawk, Cooper’s hawk, northern goshawk, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk.
Below we’ll take a look at some pictures of each one and learn a bit about them. Enjoy!
1. Broad-winged hawk
Scientific name: Buteo platypterus
Length: 13.4-17.3 in
Weight: 9.3-19.8 oz
Wingspan: 31.9-39.4 in
Broad-winged hawks are migratory, and only travel north into New Jersey during the spring-summer breeding season. These smaller hawks have a brown head and chest, barred underparts and black and white bands on their tail. In flight you can note their short tail and broad wings with pointed tips.
These hawks like to be in a secluded area during breeding season. They will nest in forests and along bodies of water far from humans. Their diet is a variety of small mammals, insects, and amphibians such as frogs and toads.
If you are hoping to see the broad-winged h