New Jersey is home to a wide variety of hawks, thanks to the state’s diverse landscape. Hawks, also known as raptors or birds of prey, are easily recognized by their sharp talons and incredible eyesight.
These birds are an incredibly important part of New Jersey’s ecosystem. They help control the populations of rodents, birds, and other small animals, which keeps the entire ecosystem in balance. In fact, their presence is often a sign of a healthy, thriving environment.
This article will give you a look at the different types of hawks you can find in NJ. We’ll cover how to identify them, where they live, what their behavior is like, and what their conservation status is.
Red-Tailed Hawk: A Common Sight
One of the most common hawks in New Jersey is the red-tailed hawk. Here’s what to look for:
Identification
These are large hawks, and the adults have a reddish-brown tail. They range in size from about 20 to 26 inches, weigh between 2 and 3 pounds, and have a wingspan of about 45 to 52 inches.
Red-tailed hawks have highly variable plumage, ranging from dark to light. One key identifier is the dark bar on the leading edge of the underwing.
Habitat and Distribution
These hawks are highly adaptable and live in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and even urban areas. You can spot them all over New Jersey.
They like to perch on high vantage points to spot prey, which includes rodents, rabbits, and other birds.
Conservation Status
Red-tailed hawks are common and widespread throughout North America. They’re not currently listed as threatened or endangered, and they’re able to adapt to the presence of humans.
Cooper’s Hawk: The Agile Hunter
One of the most common hawks in New Jersey is the Cooper’s hawk, an agile hunter known for its ability to navigate dense forests.
Identifying a Cooper’s hawk
The Cooper’s hawk is a medium-sized bird, about the size of a crow. It has short, rounded wings and a long tail. These hawks range in size from 14.6 to 15.3 inches long and weigh between 7.8 and 14.5 ounces. Their wingspan can be anywhere from 24.4 to 35.4 inches.
Their flight pattern is distinctive: a flap-flap-glide motion that allows them to maneuver easily through trees.
Habitat and distribution
Cooper’s hawks prefer forested areas with thick undergrowth, but they’re becoming more common in suburban neighborhoods.
They feed mainly on birds, often hunting songbirds and doves at backyard bird feeders during the winter months.
Conservation status
The Cooper’s hawk population is currently stable. They have bounced back from declines caused by pesticide use (DDT) in the past. However, they still face threats from habitat fragmentation and the loss of large, connected forests.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk: A Small but Mighty Predator
The sharp-shinned hawk is a fierce little raptor that can be found in New Jersey.
Identification
The sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest hawk in North America, measuring just 9.4 to 13.4 inches (24-34 cm) in length and weighing 3.1 to 7.7 ounces (87-218 g). Its wingspan ranges from 16.9 to 22.1 inches (43-56 cm).
Because of its size and shape, the sharp-shinned hawk is sometimes mistaken for the Cooper’s hawk. However, the sharp-shinned hawk is smaller and has a square-tipped tail.
Habitat and Distribution
These birds prefer forests and woodlands and are often seen near bird feeders, where they like to hunt small birds.
Conservation Status
Sharp-shinned hawks are relatively common in New Jersey and throughout North America. Their numbers are strong enough that they are not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, like many species, they are vulnerable to habitat loss.
Red-Shouldered Hawk: Endangered in New Jersey
One hawk species to keep an eye out for is the red-shouldered hawk. Unfortunately, these birds are endangered in New Jersey, so seeing one would be special.
Identification
The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized bird, measuring around 18 to 20 inches in length and weighing somewhere between 12 and 26 ounces. Its wingspan stretches 40 to 48 inches across. As its name suggests, this hawk has reddish shoulders and barred wings.
You might hear its call before you see it, as the red-shouldered hawk’s “kee-aah” call is loud and piercing.
Habitat and Distribution
Red-shouldered hawks like living in wooded areas, especially forested wetlands that flood from time to time. They need large, unbroken forests to breed.
Sadly, the red-shouldered hawk population has declined dramatically in New Jersey. Fewer than 200 breeding pairs remain.
Conservation Status
The red-shouldered hawk was listed as threatened in 1979 and endangered in 1991. Development and the resulting loss of habitat are to blame.
Researchers are currently working to understand population trends in New Jersey, which will hopefully lead to conservation efforts that help this bird recover.
Broad-Winged Hawk: The Forest Nomad
Another hawk you might spot in New Jersey is the broad-winged hawk. Here’s what to look for:
Identification
The broad-winged hawk is a smaller hawk with a broad tail that has dark bands. These hawks range in size from 13.4 to 17.3 inches, weigh from 9.3 to 19.8 ounces, and have a wingspan of 31.9 to 39.4 inches.
When broad-winged hawks migrate, they often soar in large groups.
Habitat and distribution
You’ll most likely find broad-winged hawks in deciduous forests, where they like to nest. During migration, they gather in large groups called “kettles.”
Broad-winged hawks eat small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Conservation status
For now, broad-winged hawks are relatively common and aren’t listed as threatened or endangered. However, they’re vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change, so it’s important to protect the forests where they live.
Northern Harrier: The Ground-Nesting Hunter
The Northern Harrier is a slender hawk that you may spot soaring low over open fields and grasslands here in New Jersey.
How to identify a Northern Harrier
These hawks have a distinctive white patch on their rump and are about 18-20 inches (45-50 cm) long, weighing in at 12-26 ounces (350-740 g). Their wingspan stretches 40-48 inches (100-122 cm).
Harriers fly close to the ground as they hunt, using their owl-like facial disc to help them hear prey.
Where to find them
Look for Northern Harriers in open habitats like grasslands, marshes, and fields. They build their nests on the ground, so they need plenty of undisturbed space.
Conservation status
Sadly, the Northern Harrier population is declining due to habitat loss and degradation. They’re also sensitive to pesticide use, so it’s important to protect their environment.
Northern Goshawk: The Elusive Forest Dweller
The northern goshawk is a bird of prey that’s known to be fierce and protective of its nest. They’re not often seen in New Jersey, but these birds do inhabit the state’s mature forests.
Identification
The northern goshawk is a large, powerful hawk with a gray back and barred underparts. They range in size from 24 to 29 inches (61-74 cm) and weigh 1.5 to 3 pounds (680-1360g), with a wingspan of 45 to 52 inches (114-132 cm).
Habitat and distribution
Northern goshawks live in mature forests with a dense canopy. They’re a rare breeding species in New Jersey.
These hawks feed on birds and small mammals.
Conservation status
The northern goshawk is rare and elusive. Because they’re sensitive to habitat disturbance, they need large, undisturbed forests to thrive.
Rough-Legged Hawk: Winter Visitor
The rough-legged hawk is a medium-sized hawk that visits New Jersey during the winter months. They’re called rough-legged hawks because they have feathers that cover their legs all the way down to their feet.
Identification
These hawks are typically 18 to 20 inches long, weigh anywhere from a pound and a half to over three pounds, and have a wingspan of about 52 to 54 inches.
Rough-legged hawks come in light and dark color variations.
Habitat and distribution
During the winter, you can find these hawks in open areas like fields and grasslands. They migrate to New Jersey for the winter.
When they’re hunting, they hover in the air as they search for prey.
Conservation status
These hawks are fairly common and aren’t listed as threatened or endangered. Their numbers tend to go up and down depending on the population of voles, which are a favorite food.
Where to find hawks in New Jersey
New Jersey offers some really great spots for hawk watching, especially during migration seasons. Here are a few places where you might have some luck:
- Cape May Point State Park: This park is famous for its hawk migration views, especially during the fall. Birders come from all over to see the hawks here.
- High Point State Park: The park’s high elevation offers clear, wide-open views to spot migrating raptors.
- Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge provides a habitat for many different hawk species. You can observe hawks nesting and foraging here.
- Barnegat Lighthouse State Park: Another coastal spot, Barnegat Lighthouse is a great place to watch hawks migrating along the shoreline.
The Bottom Line
New Jersey is home to a remarkable array of hawks. Each species plays a vital role in the state’s ecosystem, with unique characteristics and behaviors that make them a joy to observe.
Protecting and preserving hawk habitats is essential for their survival and the overall health of the environment. Ongoing monitoring and research are also crucial for effective conservation efforts.
You can help hawks thrive in New Jersey by practicing responsible birdwatching and supporting local and national conservation organizations. Together, we can ensure these magnificent birds continue to grace our skies for generations to come.