Hawks in New Jersey

As majestic and powerful raptors, hawks have long inspired awe and admiration. In New Jersey, hawks are a part of the natural landscape, with various species of hawks calling the state home. From the Red-tailed Hawk to the Broad-winged Hawk, these birds of prey are diverse and fascinating animals.

Hawks are found throughout the state, from forests, wetlands, and fields to suburban backyards and city parks. I will take an in-depth look at the different types of hawks that call New Jersey their home, their life cycle, habits, and environmental role.

I will also discuss the human impact on these species of hawks and provide tips to help protect their habitat and ensure their future in New Jersey.

Several Hawk Species In New Jersey

New Jersey is home to various hawk species, making it an ideal location for wildlife enthusiasts to observe and appreciate these majestic birds of prey. Some of the most common species of hawks found in the Garden State include the Red-Tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Red-Shouldered Hawk.

Each species has unique characteristics and behaviors, making them fascinating to observe and study.

Cooper’s Hawk

New Jersey is home to various hawk species, including the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii). This medium-sized hawk is found widely across the state, inhabiting wooded areas, residential landscapes, and other open habitats. Cooper’s Hawks are known for their long, rounded wings and long, central tail.

Expected Life Span: Up to 12 years

Length:       14-20 inches

Wingspan:  24.4-35.4 inches

Weight:       220-680 gm

Diet:            Small birds, squirrels, mice

Sharp-shinned Hawk

In coloration, Sharp-shinned Hawks are usually dark above, with a slate-gray head and light-colored, barred underparts. They can be found in open and forested habitats and feed on insects, small mammals, and other small birds. This species can be observed in New Jersey during breeding and wintering seasons.

Expected Life Span: 3 years on average

Length:       9.5-13.5 inches

Wingspan:  17-23 inches

Weight:       82-220 gm

Diet:            Robins, thrushes, sparrows

Red-tailed Hawk

This species is a large, wide-ranging buteo found throughout most of the United States, including New Jersey. They are often seen soaring in the sky, using their keen eyesight to hunt smaller birds and mammals. Red-tailed Hawks have a broad, reddish-brown tail with a lighter underside and a dark head and back.

The juveniles are brown and lack a distinctive tail. Red-tailed Hawks are often found in open areas such as grasslands, farmland, and airports. They nest in tall trees, often near the tops.

Expected Life Span: 10-15 years

Length:       17.7-25.5 inches

Wingspan:  44.9-52.4 inches

Weight:       690-1300 gm

Diet:            Small mammals, birds, reptiles

Broad-winged Hawk

New Jersey is home to several hawk species, including the Broad-winged Hawk. This species is medium-sized and can be identified by its dark brown and white plumage, with a distinctive white patch on the tail.

Adult Broad-winged Hawks have a dark brown head and back, light brown chest, and barred tail. Juveniles look similar but have brownish-red heads and chests.

Expected Life Span: Up to 12 years

Length:       13-17 inches

Wingspan:  31-39 inches

Weight:       250-561 gm

Diet:            Small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects

Red-shouldered Hawk

The majestic Red-shouldered Hawk is a dark-colored bird with a white underside and a reddish-brown shoulder patch. Its upper wings are mostly dark brown, with barred pale streaks, and its tail is brown with white and black bands. This species is typically found in deciduous and mixed forests near water and open fields.

Expected Life Span: The oldest Red-shouldered Hawk was alive for 19 years and 11 months, but in the wild, two years on average.

Length:       17-24 inches

Wingspan:  37-43 inches

Weight:       550-700 gm

Diet:            Small mammals, amphibians, reptiles

Northern Harrier

New Jersey is home to various hawk species, including the Northern Harrier. This hawk is a medium-sized raptor with a slender body, long wings, and buoyant flight. Its tail is short and square with a white rump patch, and its wings are long and broad with black tips.

The Northern Harrier has a pale grey back, white underparts, a distinctive white facial disk, and yellow legs and eyes.

Expected Life Span: 16 years

Length:       18.1-19.7 inches

Wingspan:  40.2-46.5 inches

Weight:       300-750 gm

Diet:            Small birds, rodents, reptiles

Rough-legged Hawk

This species of hawk is found in northern and western parts of the state and is characterized by its distinctively long legs. Rough-legged Hawks are larger than other species of hawk in New Jersey and have a wingspan of around four feet. These birds feed on small mammals such as voles, mice, birds, and carrion.

Expected Life Span: Up to 18 years

Length:       18-24 inches

Wingspan:  52-54 inches

Weight:       715-1400 gm

Diet:            Small rodents, lemmings, and voles

Northern Goshawk

The majestic Northern goshawk is a large and powerful accipiter, the largest of the North American accipiters. It is a solitary raptor that typically inhabits densely wooded habitats. This species is common in New Jersey but is rarely seen due to its shy nature and mostly solitary habits.

The northern goshawk is a large and impressive bird with long and broad wings and a long tail, which it uses for maneuvering through dense forests.

Expected Life Span: Up to 6 years

Length:       20-26 inches

Wingspan:  38-46 inches

Weight:       630-1360 gm

Diet:            Birds, small mammals

Birds Of Prey In New Jersey

While many people think of hawks when they think of birds of prey, several other birds can be found throughout New Jersey. These include ospreys, eagles, vultures, harriers, and kestrels. All these species are integral to the New Jersey ecosystem and can be seen in various habitats throughout the state.

Ospreys, also known as sea hawks, are fish-eating birds of prey that can be seen in large numbers near the shore throughout the summer months. Eagles are large birds of prey that are most often seen in forested habitats.  Unfortunately, the New Jersey population of hawks is declining due to various factors, including habitat loss, reduced food supply, and pesticide use.

Without hawks, the state’s birds of prey are at a greater risk of decline, which could have a devastating effect on the environment’s overall health.

The Effect of Hawks on the Natural Ecosystem

Hawks are an integral part of the natural ecosystem, significantly impacting the local environment. Hawks are important predators of small mammals and birds, helping to keep their population levels in check. As apex predators, they help to protect smaller species by consuming predators that would otherwise feed on them.

Hawks also provide a valuable resource for scavengers, as they often leave behind carcasses that vultures, foxes, and other scavengers can consume. Hawks also help control insect populations, feeding on various insects, including caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles.

Hawks can help reduce the spread of disease by consuming diseased animals, thus preventing the spread of infection to other species. Hawks also serve as indicators of environmental health and can be used for conservation efforts. When the population of hawks decreases, it can signal a larger issue in the ecosystem, such as a decrease in available food.

What Types of Hawks Are Found in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, bird enthusiasts can witness a diverse hawk squad in Delaware. From the majestic red-tailed hawks to the striking Cooper’s hawks, the state is a haven for various species. With its strategic location along migration routes, New Jersey offers fantastic opportunities to observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitats.

Eight Species of Hawks to Observe In New jersey

Conclusion

There are eight species of hawks in New Jersey that are most commonly seen. Each species can easily be identified by its habitat, behavior, and physical characteristics. Hawk-watching can be an enjoyable experience for birders, nature lovers, and eco-tourists.

Hawks have been a natural part of New Jersey wildlife for centuries and remain an important part of the local ecosystem. Not only do they provide valuable pest control services, but they also bring beauty and wonder to the area.

To ensure their survival, it’s important to protect their habitats and guard against potential threats. With a little patience, you can easily spot these beautiful birds in their natural habitat and appreciate their majestic power and grace.