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Eagles soar as kings of the bird world unrivalled as hunters and symbols of power. But, just as surely, hawks and falcons rank as princes. In flight or at rest, their fluid elegance gives them a proud presence. In days of past glory, falconry was popular in most royal courts.

Grand Harbor hosts eight different species of hawks. They are commonly grouped together as raptors (birds who seize their victims). That’s why in human parlance, a ”hawk” is an aggressive person as opposed to a peace-loving “dove.” Hawks have long captured our imagination as keen-eyed, swift flying, diving masters of attack. With more than 100 species world-wide, they range in size and feather colorations. They are relatively silent, and mostly carnivorous.

Oddly in the avian world, female hawks usually measure about 1/3 larger than males. Ornithologists conclude that evolution has made the roosting females larger to protect broods in the nest, while males grow to be more compact, sleeker to enhance their hunting prowess. Here are our eight common residents:

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• Osprey – the famous “fish hawk” that hovers above our ponds. Largest hawk in North America at 20-24” length and a wingspan of more than five feet. Resembles Bald Eagle with white head and dark back, but about 10” smaller. The only raptor that plunges feet-first into water for its prey. Bulky nests are hard to miss – visit Blue Cypress Lake to see hundreds of nests close-up. Mostly year-rounders in Florida, mate for life.

 

• Swallow-tailed Kite – not a true hawk but shares many characteristics. An uncommon and prized sighting – breathtaking as it soars gracefully against a blue sky. At 23” in length with a four-foot wingspan and deeply forked tail, it makes quite a sight. White head, chest and belly with a black back and tail. Flies while catching insects, hunts on ground for lizards and frogs. Skims water to drink. Year-round in Florida but once nested north to Minnesota.

 

• Northern Harrier – a slim falcon with angled wings, is 16-20” long with a wingspan up to four feet. Normally sighted flying just a few feet above ground flashing a white patch on its tail. Female is dark brown, male a silver gray, black wing tips and yellow eyes. Mice, snakes and lizards, insects, small birds make up the diet. Once called the “Marsh Hawk” due to hunting over wetlands. A winter resident.

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• Coopers Hawk – also 16-20” long with wingspan up to three feet. A blue-gray hawk with a blotchy orange breast. Winters in Florida, breeds across most of northern US. Has straight wings and a long cross-striped tail – easy to spot when soaring. An agile hunter who often chases small birds through trees and bushes. Never common but prospering.

 

• Red-shouldered Hawk – 15-19” long with wingspan of about 40”. A pale, multi-colored hawk with stocky build. Shows mostly gray on back, reddish shoulder, light orange breast, yellow bill. Among the more vocal hawks with high, clear call ke-yur key-yur repeated. Sounds like a Blue Jay. Widespread in US, winters in Florida.

 

• Red-tailed Hawk – 20-25” long with wingspan up to four feet. Our most common American hawk. Comes in a variety of colors, most are brown with a lighter brown breast and a prominent striped tail with a large red patch. Circles in search of prey, dives with speed and strength. Feeds on mice, birds, snakes and insects. Small mammals are also fair game. Nest not quite as sloppy as an Osprey, but still messy. Year-round.

 

• Kestrel – once called the “Sparrow Hawk” due to its small size; just 9-11” long with two-foot wingspan.  Male is brightly colored in orange, blue and white with two “sideburns” of dark brown. Female similar but paler. Keen eyesight with an ultra-violet sensor for tracking small rodents by their urine. Fond of grasshoppers. Often nests in man-made boxes. Only a winter resident, sometimes spotted on GHA birdwalks.

 

• Merlin – slightly larger than Kestrel at 10-12” in length and two feet wingspan. Not so colorful with a pale gray back and a streaky orange and white breast. Very fast little falcon who catches birds in flight. Undersides in flight show spotted orange, gray and white – females more light brown than gray. Widespread across country, winters here.

 

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Note: Hawks are divided into sub-groups of buteos, falcons and accipiters. Further detailing leads to kites, caracaras, harriers and ospreys. Consult your Birds of Grand Harbor guide to learn more and to see drawings of the birds.

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