The Basics of
Hawk Identification
Resouces
How to Identify Hawks?
It can be difficult to distinguish raptors that are far away. By looking at their shape and where the white and dark patches are located on their bodies and wings is a tool that hawkwatchers use. Look at this black and white silhouette guide provided by HMANA to distinguish shape and plumage.
What happened to the Northern Goshawk and what is the American Goshawk?
The name change for the Northern Goshawk to American Goshawk occurred on HawkCount.org over the weekend of August 14, 2023. Details about the name change are in this HMANA update are in the attached PDF file.
If you are interested, the following link will take you to the American Ornithological Society for their statement.
Hawks at the Allegheny Front
Hawk is a general term used for raptors, also known as birds of prey, and includes hawks, eagles, falcons, kites, vultures, harriers, and ospreys. The table below shows the expected number of each species per year.
Species #/year Best Months
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1249 Sept. - Nov.
Cooper’s Hawk 275 Sept. - Nov.
American Goshawk <10 Nov.
Red-tailed Hawk 2135 Most Days
Red-shouldered Hawk 120 Oct. - Nov.
Broad-winged Hawk 3935 Mid-Sept.
Rough-legged Hawk 5 Nov.
Bald Eagle 86 Aug. - Dec.
Golden Eagle 228 Oct. - Nov.
Northern Harrier 84 Sept. - Nov.
American Kestrels 89 Sept. - Oct.
Merlin 38 Oct.
Peregrine Falcon 34 Sept. - Oct.
Osprey 182 Sept.
Turkey Vulture 784 Daily