To find them, just follow the sound! Red-Tailed Hawk

It’s a two-note “kee-eee” sound that lasts 2-4 seconds. You’ll likely hear this species before you see it, as their high-pitched whistle is characteristic. These compact raptors spend most of their time underneath the forest canopy, where they can hunt small animals like mice, voles, rabbits, amphibians, smaller birds, and large insects. Adults have broad black-and-white bands on their tails. They have reddish-brown chests and barred underparts, which can be seen when they’re flying. Sometimes thousands of birds fill the sky at a time as they head to Central and South America it’s quite the sight for sure.īroad-winged hawks are small birds with short, square tails and broad wings. Broad-Winged HawkĮach fall, flocks of broad-winged hawks can be easily seen during migration at famous hawk-watch sites like Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania.

These birds live mostly in wooded habitats, so if you’re looking for a Cooper’s hawk specifically, they can be found in deep forests, forested mountains, leafy subdivisions, and backyards. These hawks catch their prey by flying fast and close to the ground, then up and over a barrier surprising their victim from the other side. The dark bands on their tails are visible when they’re flying, and they can be identified while crossing large open areas by their flap-flap-glide flying pattern. Next on our list of Pennsylvania hawks is a medium-sized bird that boasts a typical accipiter shape: Cooper’s hawk.Īdult Cooper’s hawks have long rounded tails, broad wings, reddish-pleated chests, and blue-gray backs. Length: 15 inches (males), 16.5-18 inches (females).Members of this species of hawks feed on insects such as dragonflies, dobsonflies, or grasshoppers, and during nesting, they feed their chicks small rodents, rabbits, and reptiles. They can also be seen perching on utility wires, fence posts, and isolated trees.

If you see a large flock soaring through the sky in April and September, they’re most likely Swainson’s hawks. Unlike most raptors, Swainson’s hawks are social birds of prey that are usually found in large groups. They have distinctive white underwings, gray upperparts, and reddish-brown chests. The beautiful and large Swainson’s hawk soars with its long wings slightly raised, resembling a V-shape. Let’s take a closer look at the hawks in Pennsylvania. Although some hawks migrate during the winter season, others can be seen in the state year-round. Nine species of these amazing birds hunt, nest, and live within the natural areas of the state. Just keep your eyes on the sky, and you can easily spot plenty of feathered-friends.Īmong the numerous bird species that call the Keystone State home are hawks. The Appalachian Plateau sweets across the center, covering more than half the state, to the east runs the Delaware River, and to the north lies Lake Erie. Pennsylvania birdwatchers, rejoice! The state’s varied geography makes this little piece of America a wonderful bird-watching stop.

Redtailed hawk sounds