Table of Contents
If you’re an avid birdwatcher or simply enjoy the thrill of spotting magnificent creatures in the wild, Washington state is the perfect destination for you.
So grab your binoculars, pack your hiking boots, and get ready to embark on an exciting journey through the skies!
Key Takeaways
- Washington state is a prime location for birdwatching, with diverse habitats that support a variety of hawk species.
- There are 10 different types of hawks in Washington, including Red-Tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, Rough-Legged Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, and Bald Eagles.
- Conservation efforts have been put in place to protect the habitat of hawks and eagles in Washington, with a focus on protecting important nesting sites and reducing the use of harmful pollutants.
- Golden Eagles and Ospreys are also found in Washington, with unique adaptations for hunting and fishing, respectively, and are also threatened by human activity. Conservation efforts for these species include installation of artificial nesting platforms and habitat restoration projects.
1. Red-Tailed Hawk
You’ll be pleased to know that the Red-Tailed Hawk, a stunning bird of prey, is one of the most common hawks you’ll spot in Washington. This species is easily identified by its reddish-brown tail and wings, which contrast with its pale underbelly.
Red-Tailed Hawks are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They prefer open areas with scattered trees or tall perches from which they can scan for prey.
These hawks are skilled hunters and feed on a wide range of prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
They often hunt from a perch, swooping down to catch their prey in midair. Red-Tailed Hawks are also known for their soaring abilities, using thermal currents to effortlessly glide through the air.
Keep an eye out for the Red-Tailed Hawk on your next outdoor adventure in Washington, as they’re truly a sight to behold.
2. Cooper’s Hawk
If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a Cooper’s hawk gliding through the trees. This medium-sized hawk is a common sight in Washington’s woodlands, where it hunts small birds and mammals.
Cooper’s hawks are known for their agility and speed, and they can easily maneuver through dense vegetation to catch their prey.
Cooper’s hawks are monogamous birds, and they mate for life. They typically breed in the spring, building nests out of sticks and lining them with soft materials such as bark strips and feathers.
The female lays 2-5 eggs, which she incubates for about a month. Once the chicks hatch, the parents take turns feeding them until they are ready to fledge the nest.
Cooper’s hawks are also known to be opportunistic predators, and they will occasionally prey on other birds, reptiles, and insects. Their diet varies depending on the availability of food in their habitat, but they mainly feed on small mammals and birds.
3. Sharp-Shinned Hawk
The sharp-shinned hawk darts through the forest with lightning-fast movements, hunting for small birds and mammals. With its sharp talons and hooked beak, it can easily capture its prey mid-flight.
This species is known for its agile hunting tactics, often chasing its prey through dense foliage and maneuvering around obstacles with ease.
The sharp-shinned hawk is a migratory bird, traveling long distances between its breeding grounds in Canada and its wintering grounds in Central and South America.
During migration, these hawks can be seen soaring in large flocks, utilizing thermals to conserve energy. They typically migrate during the day, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions.
The sharp-shinned hawk’s impressive hunting abilities and migratory patterns make it a fascinating bird to observe in the wild.
4. Northern Harrier
As you watch the Northern Harrier glide low over the open fields, you can’t help but be captivated by its distinctive white rump flashing in the sunlight.
This bird of prey is commonly found in wetland and grassland habitats, where it uses its keen sense of hearing and eyesight to hunt for small mammals, birds, and insects.
The Northern Harrier’s hunting technique is unique, as it flies low over the ground while flapping its wings in a distinctive V shape. This allows it to capture prey that is hiding in the grass, which is why it’s also known as the Marsh Hawk.
The Northern Harrier is a migratory bird, spending its summers in the northern regions of North America and winters in the southern regions.
During the breeding season, Northern Harriers can be found nesting on the ground in open fields and marshy areas. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs while the male provides food for the family.
Due to habitat loss and human encroachment, the Northern Harrier population has been declining in some areas. However, conservation efforts have been put in place to protect their habitat and ensure their survival.
5. Rough-Legged Hawk
You’ll be amazed by the Rough-Legged Hawk’s ability to hover in place as it searches for prey over open tundra.
This medium-sized hawk, also known as the Roughie, is a winter visitor to Washington state, and can be seen from November to March.
It has a wingspan of about four feet and a distinctive white patch on its tail, which makes it easy to identify in flight. Rough-Legged Hawks have a circumpolar breeding range, which spans across the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
They nest on cliffs and trees and prefer open, treeless tundra habitats.
In winter, they migrate south to escape harsh Arctic conditions and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, marshes, and agricultural areas.
Their migration patterns are unique, as they move south in a series of short hops, following food sources such as lemmings and voles. Despite being a common winter visitor to Washington state, they’re still considered a rare breeding bird in the region.
6. Swainson’s Hawk
Now that we’ve learned about the Rough-Legged Hawk, let’s shift our focus to another fascinating hawk species in Washington – the Swainson’s Hawk.
This bird of prey is a medium-sized raptor that can be identified by its distinct pale underparts, dark flight feathers, and brown back.
Swainson’s Hawks are known for their impressive migratory patterns. They travel thousands of miles each year from their breeding grounds in western North America to wintering areas in South America.
In terms of habitat preferences, Swainson’s Hawks are commonly found in open grasslands, agricultural fields, and savannas. They prefer nesting on tall trees or in man-made structures such as power poles and communication towers.
These hawks are also known for their unique feeding habits. They feed on a wide variety of prey including small mammals, reptiles, insects, and even carrion.
Swainson’s Hawks are truly a magnificent species that play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of their environment.
7. Ferruginous Hawk
Imagine soaring high above the vast prairies of the western United States and catching a glimpse of the majestic Ferruginous Hawk. This bird of prey is one of the largest hawks in North America, with a wingspan of up to 4 feet.
The Ferruginous Hawk’s name comes from its rust-colored feathers, which cover its back and wings.
It is primarily found in open grasslands and prairies, where it can hunt its prey. Its diet consists mostly of small mammals, such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and rabbits, but it will also eat birds and reptiles.
This hawk is known for its powerful talons, which it uses to catch its prey on the ground. Despite its size and strength, the Ferruginous Hawk is also known for its acrobatic flight, as it can hover in mid-air while scanning the ground for food.
8. Bald Eagle
You can feel the power and majesty of the Bald Eagle as it soars through the sky with its impressive wingspan of up to 7 feet. This iconic bird of prey is a symbol of strength and resilience, and is known for its sharp talons and keen eyesight.
The Bald Eagle is found across North America, including in Washington, where conservation efforts have been put in place to protect its habitat.
Bald Eagles are typically found near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and coasts, where they can hunt for fish and other aquatic prey.
They also require tall trees or other structures for nesting, which can be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Conservation efforts in Washington have focused on protecting these important nesting sites, as well as reducing the use of harmful pesticides and other pollutants that can harm the eagles and their prey.
Through these efforts, the Bald Eagle population in Washington has rebounded, and the species continues to be an important symbol of the state’s natural beauty and wildlife.
9. Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is a fierce predator of the skies, with an impressive wingspan and powerful talons. These birds of prey are found in various habitats, including open landscapes, mountains, and deserts.
In Washington, they can be seen in the eastern part of the state, where they prefer to nest in cliffs and hunt for prey in open grasslands. Golden Eagles are known for their long-distance migration, which can span over 2,000 miles.
They usually migrate in the fall and spring, and some individuals have been known to travel all the way from Alaska to Mexico.
These birds have a keen sense of vision and are able to spot prey from great distances. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, such as squirrels and rabbits, but they have also been known to prey on larger animals like deer and pronghorns.
Overall, the Golden Eagle is a magnificent bird that plays an important role in the ecosystem, and it is a sight to behold when soaring through the skies.
10. Osprey
If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you’ll notice the osprey’s distinctive white head and brown body as it dives into the water to catch fish with its sharp talons.
These birds of prey are well adapted for fishing, with specialized nostrils that close to keep water out and reversible outer toes that can grip fish firmly.
Ospreys can often be seen hovering over water bodies, scanning for their next meal with their keen eyesight.
Once they spot a fish, they’ll dive in from up to 100 feet in the air, plunging their talons into the water to grab their prey.
Osprey behavior is closely tied to their habitat, which includes coastal regions, lakes, and rivers. Unfortunately, these habitats are often threatened by human activity, including pollution and development.
As a result, conservation efforts for Osprey have become increasingly important in recent years.
These efforts include the installation of artificial nesting platforms, which provide safe places for Osprey to breed and raise their young.
Additionally, habitat restoration projects and education initiatives have helped to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the habitats that these amazing birds depend on.
