Red Tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis )

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common hawk. Its wings are broad and fairly rounded. Plumage is variable. It has a reddish upper tail paler underneath. It inhabits woods with nearby open land, prairies, plains, groves and deserts. It preys on rodents. Ranges over most of North America.

Sharp Shinned Hawk ( Accipiter striatus )

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is distinguished from the Cooper's Hawk by having a shorter, square tail and a smaller head and neck. It is fairly common over much of its range and can be found in mixed woodlands. It preys chiefly on small birds. Ranges over most of North America.

Short Tailed Hawk ( Buteo brachyurus )

The Short-tailed Hawk is a small chunky hawk. A resident but uncommon in Florida south of the panhandle. It is found in mixed woodland-grassland. Preys chiefly on small birds taken most often from tree tops.

The Swainson's Hawk has long, narrow, pointed wings. It has a dark bib. It soars over open plains and prairies on uptilted wings. Perches on posts, banks, or stones and usually pounces on prey. Chiefly large insects. Ranges over the western U.S. and up into British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

White Tailed Hawk ( Buteo albicaudatus )

The White-tailed Hawk has fairly long pointed wings. At rest the adults wing tips project to or beyond the end of its short tail. Its rust colored shoulders are highly visible against dark gray upper parts. Ranges over west and east coasts of Mexico and the southern tip of Texas.

The Zone-tailed Hawk is slate black or or gray overall with barred flight feathers. Legs and cere are a bright yellow color. It is found in mesa or mountainous country, often near water-courses. It preys on rodents, lizards, fish, frogs and small birds. Ranges over Mexico, Baja and up into southern New Mexico and Arizona and lower west Texas.

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