Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
1-1-1994
Abstract
Hawks and owls are birds of prey and are frequently referred to as raptors— a term that includes the falcons, eagles, vultures, kites, ospreys, northern harriers, and crested caracaras. There are two main groups of hawks: accipiters and buteos. Accipiters are the forest-dwelling hawks. North American species include the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Cooper’s hawk (A. cooperii), and sharpshinned hawk (A. striatus). The buteos are known as the broadwinged or soaring hawks. They are the most commonly observed raptors in North America. Typical species include the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), red-shouldered hawk (B. lineatus), broad-winged hawk (B. platypterus), Swainson’s hawk (B. swainsoni), rough-legged hawk (B. lagopus), and ferruginous hawk (B. regalis).