With no 2 birds being the same, one of these works of art would make a wonderful gift to any bird lover. These hawks are on the smaller side with stocky bodies and large, reddish heads. There are 7 types of Hawks in Kentucky you might find. The translucent crescents near their wingtips are a great way to identify them. The 7 Species of Hawks in Kentucky There are 7 types of Hawks in Kentucky you might find. The last count in our area was done on December 29th with a total of 126 species counted. They feature white, creamy undersides with light, reddish brown markings. Ferruginous Hawk Habitat. Black-headed Grosbeak: Large, stocky finch, black-streaked, orange-brown back, black head, wings, tail. These species include Red-tailed hawks, Broad-winged hawks, Northern goshawks, Rough-legged hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and Red-shouldered hawks. Only non-breeding populations are found in Kentucky, and scarcely at that. White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus (A) Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) photos by Mary Claypool What in incredible way to bring in the new year! Occasionally, you might find Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks or Northern Harriers in the right habitat. Because Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) are the most secretive of North America’s forest-breeding raptors, little is known about their breeding biology, including their preferred nesting habitat. The hawks will search for food elsewhere and the songbirds will eventually return. I conclude with a list comparing the birds of Louisville with the birds of the state as a whole. Length: 20.9-25.2 in Weight: 22.3-48.1 oz Wingspan: 40.5-46. We talk about all things related to backyard birding and bird watching. Birds of North America from in Kentucky. Sharp-shinned Hawks have a slate gray back, dark head, and red barring on the chest. The best chance of seeing them is to head for the woods, as they like to hide out in large, dense sections of forest. red-tailed hawks The Red-Tailed Hawk is very common in Kentucky, often found sitting on light poles above the Interstate. This page has even more interesting facts about Red-tailed hawks. Chances are you’ve seen one before — they often perch on tall vantage points like roadside telephone poles. Swainson's Hawk: Large hawk, dark brown upperparts, white throat, rufous upper breast, pale buff underparts. These species include Red-tailed hawks, Broad-winged hawks, Northern goshawks, Rough-legged hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and Red-shouldered hawks. They often circle high above open pastures and fields, scanning the ground for small mammals to eat. Red-tailed Hawks are some of the most common hawks in North America. Over 350 species of birds have been documented in Kentucky. Cooper’s hawks are very similar in appearance to sharp-shinned hawks, making it difficult to differentiate between the two. This article contains affiliate links. Range in the U.S. limited to south and west Texas, parts of New Mexico and Arizona. You’ll only be able to catch the non-breeding population of Rough-legged hawks in the northern half of Kentucky. Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. In the spring they’re often spotted circling over their nesting area. Breast is orange-brown and belly is yellow. Jesse enjoys bird watching and feeding birds in his backyard, learning about the different species, and sharing his knowledge and experiences. Most species are monogamous, often for life. Male, female, juvenile. Length: 13.4-17.3 in Weight: 9.3-19.8 oz Wingspan: 31.9-39.4 in. If you click a link on our site then make a purchase we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. They live in wet forests — often along streams and creeks. One of the toughest identification challenges involves separating Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks. In the summer they feast upon lemmings in the arctic tundra. Nests were at a mean Harris's Hawk This beautiful hawk will hunt in packs. Length: 17.7-25.6 in Weight: 24.3-51.5 oz Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in. They are diurnal birds which spend most of their time perched, leaving it generally only to hunt (perch and pounce). In 2009 and 2010, I searched 248 forest stands in Kentucky and found 11 nests, all located in pines (Pinus spp.). They share the buteo shape along with the Red-tailed hawk, but with longer, more narrow wings. Some basic facts on Kentucky’s regulations can be found on our facts sheet ; State falconry and raptor propagation regulations for Kentucky; Federal falconry regulations ; Reporting. Both birds even share the same flap-flap-glide flying style. Our local Wintu Audubon Society chapter had a couple of excellent Christmas Bird Counts to end the 2007 season! If you click a link then make a purchase, we may get a small get commission at no cost to you. 36 Species of Warblers in Tennessee and Kentucky, 7 Species of Woodpeckers in Kentucky (Pictures), The 8 Types of Owls In Missouri (With Pictures). Some change habitats within state borders; others stop by during spring and fall as part of long journeys between breeding grounds and warmer climates. However, Cooper’s hawks are larger with slightly broader wings. Farther below I've also added a list of other common birds not typically found in backyards. Even though they’re large hawks, they don’t weigh much. Most of the Ferruginous Hawks are found in semiarid grasslands of North America. Learn more about us here. Juvenile has spotted brown back and heavily streaked underparts, finely banded tail. The Red-Tailed Hawk is very common in Kentucky, often found sitting on light poles above the Interstate. Listen for their iconic raptor screech — you’ll surely recognize it as the same call used for hawks, and other birds of prey, in most movies and television shows. The best time to catch a glimpse of them is during the fall when they migrate — they can often be the largest groups of raptors around during this time. Length: 18.5-20.5 in Weight: 25.2-49.4 oz Wingspan: 52.0-54.3 in. They have similar barring as the red-shouldered hawk, but with brown coloration rather than red. Like their name implies, Red-shouldered hawks feature light, reddish barring on their pale undersides as well as white banding on their tails. Red-shouldered hawks and crows don’t exactly get along. Immature Red Tailed Hawks have black bands on a brown tail. They also hunt with a soar and stoop method. Red Tailed Hawks make a loud "kree-e-e" call often used by Hollywood as a Bald Eagle call. Length: 14.6-17.7 in Weight: 7.8-24.0 oz Wingspan: 24.4-35.4 in. These are the Chuck-wills-widow, Common Nighthawk, and Whip-poor will. Ferruginous Hawk weighs around 950 – 2300 grams (2.1 – 5 pounds). In Kentucky, the most common hawks are the Red-Tailed Hawk, Red-Shouldered Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. This species is a member of the genus Accipiter, sometimes referred to as true hawks, which are famously agile, relatively small hawks common to wooded habitats around the world and also the most diverse of all diurnal raptor genera. Watch out if you keep bird feeders in the yard, these guys are well-known for snatching up unsuspecting songbirds. List of the most common feeder birds and backyard birds in Kentucky. Large (16 - 32 in) Swainson's Hawk. Though they used to avoid populated areas, these hawks are becoming more and more common in towns, suburbs, and other urban areas — preying on the many pigeons and doves that live there. In Kentucky, the Red-tailed Hawk is found in a variety of terrains, but most frequently in farm country, a mix of fields and woodlands, mostly open country. There is a general consens… During the summer they reside in the arctic tundra, hunting and raising their young. Rough-legged hawks typically feature dark-brown and white colorations, though they also occur in light and dark morphs. Their fully feathered legs are what earned them the name “rough-legged.”, Length: 9.4-13.4 in Weight: 3.1-7.7 oz Wingspan: 16.9-22.1 in. They often cruise along mountain ridges and coastlines. You can find both kinds of hawks in Kentucky, and in this article we’re going to cover them all. What was the SIZE of the Brown Hawk-like bird you saw in Kentucky? Sharp-shinned hawks are found year-round in the majority of Kentucky, with a small portion in the west being the exception.