8 Hawks in Georgia With Pictures: Look Out For the Best Species
There is a wide variety of wildlife in Georgia, including numerous hawk species. These raptors are frequently a focal point for those who enjoy the natural world because of their strong wingspan, keen claws, and remarkable hunting abilities. Here you will know about 8 hawks in Georgia with pictures.
Georgia is home to a wide range of species that can be found all over the state, including the Red-Tailed and Broad-Winged Hawks. Getting a look at these birds in their natural environment can be an exciting and informative experience, offering insights into their habits, hunting strategies, and distinctive features.
Georgia is a great place for birders to see and learn about hawks in their natural habitat because of its mild climate and diverse landscape, which allow these birds to thrive year-round.
8 Hawks in Georgia With Pictures:
If you know where to look, you can find several different kinds of hawks in Georgia. This section will go over the various hawk species that can be found in this magnificent state as well as how to recognize them the next time one soars overhead or perches nearby:
Read also: 11 Species of Woodpeckers in New York
1. Red-tailed Hawks
In North America, red-tailed hawks are the most common hawk species. Large hawks like these are year-round residents of Georgia and most of North America. They are frequently spotted perched atop telephone poles by the side of the road or soaring overhead, using their extraordinary vision to hunt prey.
2. Red-shouldered Hawk
The majority of the eastern United States and all of Georgia are home to red-shouldered hawks full-time. Their primary diet consists of amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and other birds. It is well known that red-shouldered hawks inhabit and build their nests in forests and wooded areas. Frequently, they will use the same nest each year.
3. Broad-winged Hawk
Georgia and the eastern part of the United States are the breeding grounds for the Broad-winged Hawk. Every year, thousands of them migrate; these vast groups are referred to as “kettles.” In Georgia, the best time to see broad-winged hawks is during their nesting and breeding season, which runs from early April through early October.
4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
The tiniest hawk in Georgia and the entirety of North America is the Sharp-shinned Hawk. In the US, especially in Georgia, they are widespread and typical. They do, however, have a non-breeding population spread out across the state, and they yearly migrate far north to breed.
5. Northern Harrier
The only native hawk species in North America is the Northern Harrier. Although its breeding grounds extend as far north as Canada, it spends the winter in warmer regions of the south, such as Georgia. They enjoy living in fields and marshes and going hunting.
Read also: The 8 Types of Woodpeckers in Maryland
6. Cooper’s Hawks
There are moments when Cooper’s Hawks resemble Sharp-shinned Hawks on a bigger scale. The majority of North America is home to Cooper’s Hawks, which are year-round residents of Georgia. They are infamous for stalking feeders and eat almost only other birds, much like the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
7. Short-Tailed Hawk
The short-tailed bird gets its name from its relatively long wings, which, when seated, reach the tip of the tail, giving the impression that the tail is abnormally short. The bird is about the size of a crow. Their tail length is actually typical for the genus, though.
8. Swainson’s Hawk
Cooper’s hawks are smaller than Swainson’s hawks in size, with short tails and wide wings. Their winders, which are usually held in a shallow V-shape when flying, are longer and slimmer. Although there is variation in the appearance of Swainson’s hawks, the majority have light bellies, a dark or reddish-brown breast, and brown or gray upperparts.
Where to Watch Hawks in Georgia?
North Georgia’s Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is home to Brasstown Bald. This location is great for observing hawks during their migration and provides expansive views of the nearby mountains. Southeast Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a sizable wilderness area renowned for its diverse ecosystems and profusion of wildlife.
Hawks and other wildlife find refuge at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, which is situated on Georgia’s coast. Jekyll Island is a stunning barrier island on Georgia’s coast that is well-known for its immaculate beaches and varied wildlife. Northwest Georgia is home to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a historic site. Hawks can find a suitable home in the park’s open fields and wooded trails.
