Hawk Species in Maryland

Hawks are medium-sized carnivorous predators known as raptors. They have excellent vision, and can see eight times farther than humans can. Hawks grab and hold prey during flight with their long, sharp talons, and use their strong hooked beaks to tear flesh. They inhabit shrubby wooded areas where prey is abundant. Most hawks mate for life.

The genus Accipiter includes goshawks and sparrowhawks. Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), the sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) and the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) are found in Maryland. These birds are slender-bodied with short, round-tipped, broad wings and long tails. Birds and small mammals are their preferred prey.

Buzzards and some hawks are included in the genus Buteo. The broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus) and Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni) live in Maryland. They're sturdily built and heavy-bodied with broad, rounded wings and a short tail. They hunt small mammals and rodents.

Harriers belong to the genus Circus. The name Circus was taken from circling movements made by male and female harriers during courtship. Northern harriers, found in Maryland, are slim-bodied and long-winged with owl-like faces. Their long tails have a white patch at the base. Harriers hunt by flying low over marshes and meadows, searching for small mammals, birds and reptiles. These unusual hawks nest in marshes and don't mate for life.