In this article, we’ll look at eight types of hawks that are commonly found in New Mexico. Many species of hawks are found within the state year-round, while others are only sighted during the breeding seasons, non-breeding seasons, or in the winter months. Nevertheless, they make an appearance at some point during the year.
1. Red-tailed Hawk
New Mexico is home to several species of red-tailed hawks. Most of them are predominant in the highlands of New Mexico, from Rio Arriba County and Sierra County to San Miguel and Quay County. Red-tailed hawks have white collared necks, rufous-brown heads, and dark-red wings. They possess a distinctive bigfoot relative to other species and a darker belly band. These hawks live in open country and prefer nesting on cliffs. Females lay 2-3 eggs, sometimes 4. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs. Red-tailed hawks feed on a diet of smaller birds, small reptiles, and invertebrates like crabs. They have a unique hunting technique that involves their loud screech vocalizations. The prey’s first reaction is to run for safety once the red-tailed hawk lets out a loud screech. The hawk then flies down to attack the prey once it’s exhausted.
2. Northern Goshawk
Northern goshawks are seen as a more robust and larger version of Cooper’s hawks. These hawks are referred to in some cultures of Mexico and America as a “symbol of strength.” They are the largest hawks of the genus Accipiter. Northern goshawks are solitary as well as migratory in New Mexico, where they relocate to areas with lower elevations during the cold winter weather. In some areas, they are known to dwell within the nesting areas for their entire lives. They live in diverse deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests with high tree concentrations where they can hunt in and below the canopies. These hawks feed primarily on a diet of smaller birds, such as crows and grouse. They may also eat rodents, squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hares, and large insects. In turn, they are preyed on by eagles, wolves, and great-horned owls. Juvenile northern goshawks are brown on their upper body parts and light underneath with dark streaks. Mature northern goshawks possess a wedge-tipped tail, rounded wings with gray upperparts, and whitish bellies. Northern goshawks build their nests using sticks that are lined with foliage. The nest may be used for more than a season. Females lay between 2 and 4 bluish-white eggs that hatch in about 32-38 days.
3. Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged hawks are highly migratory small hawks with broad wings that are commonly found in New Mexico. They have brown upper wings, and their necks are whitish with cinnamon-colored stripes on the belly. They often migrate south to winter in the neotropics, from New Mexico down to southern Brazil. These hawks are very territorial and solitary birds. They prefer breeding in deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. On some occasions, they improvise on abandoned crow or squirrel nests. Females lay 2-3 eggs, sometimes 1-4. The male provides food for the female during incubation, with chicks hatching at 28 to 32 days. Broad-winged hawks feed on small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other small birds. They hunt for prey from a raised concealed perch. They swoop down rapidly to catch prey upon spotting one. In turn, these hawks are vulnerable to predation by American black bears, porcupines, and raccoons.
4. Harris’s Hawk
Harris’s hawks are social birds of prey that are well-known for hunting as a pack. They are commonly found in New Mexico all year. They are often seen in areas of the state with cactus deserts, river woods, or a medium elevation. These hawks are brown with reddish patches on their shoulders. They have long tails with white feathers at the tip and are unique for performing back stacking, where several of them align themselves in a pyramid-like formation when they do not have enough space to perch. Harris’s hawks prefer to hunt late in the day when it’s cooler. Their diet consists of small mammals such as mice, reptiles, and other birds. They can also feed on dead animals, especially during winter. In turn, they are hunted by great-horned owls. These raptors build their nests on top of trees, bushes, cacti, or artificial structures. Females lay 3-4 white eggs, sometimes 1-5, depending on conditions like favorable weather and food availability. The incubation period lasts about 33-36 days.
5. Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s hawks are named after the British scientist, William Swainson. They are medium-sized birds of prey, also known as locusts or grasshopper hawks, owing to their fondness for these insects. They are brown or gray on top with a dark or reddish-brown chest. These hawks are mostly found in the eastern and southern parts of New Mexico year-round. They are highly migratory birds whose habitat preference is open country-like cultivated areas and savanna grasslands. Apart from insects, they also feed on small mammals such as rats, ground squirrels, and rabbits. They often forage on foot with partly stretched wings as they run after insects. Swainson’s hawks are susceptible to predation by coyotes, eagles, and great-horned owls. Choosing the tree in which to build a nest is usually the prerogative of the female Swainson’s hawk. Twigs, sticks, and debris are all used to build the nest. Females lay between 2-3 pale bluish-white eggs that hatch in about 34-35 days.
6. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned hawks are named after the sharp keel on the leading edge of their long legs. They are the smallest hawks in New Mexico. Juveniles are brown on the upper body and light underneath, while adults are blue-gray on the upper body with orange-colored bars on the breast and belly. They have a distinctive flap and glide style of flying. Their habitat is in deep forests and open areas. They are often sighted, soaring and gliding in forested areas of New Mexico. They are most visible during migration. During the breeding season, these hawks prefer areas of dense vegetation in tandem with their secretive nature. Sharp-shinned hawks feed on songbirds, rodents, squirrels, snakes, lizards, insects, frogs, and other small mammals. They usually perch on foliage and wait for small birds to approach. You may also spot sharp-shinned hawks chasing after songbirds in the backyard and near bird feeders. They are, in turn, preyed upon by peregrine falcons and other larger hawks.
7. Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s hawks were named after William Cooper by Charles Bonaparte. Cooper collected specimens used to describe the bird’s species. These hawks are often spotted throughout New Mexico. You will likely run into them in the backyards and near the bird feeders, actively searching for songbirds. These hawks are medium-sized birds of prey, almost the size of a crow. Adults are blue-gray on top with reddish bars underneath. They have dark bands on their bellies and tails. The immatures are brown above. Their diet consists mainly of small birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other small mammals. When hunting, they move towards prey stealthily and burst into high speed to close in. In turn, these hawks are susceptible to predation by raccoons, great-horned owls, and other large hawks. Cooper’s hawks nest in deciduous or coniferous trees. Males are responsible for building the nests using sticks and twigs. Nests are built between 20 and 60 feet from the ground. Females lay between 3 and 5 eggs, sometimes 1 to 7, depending on the conditions. The incubation period takes around 34-36 days.
8. Rough-legged Hawk
Rough-legged hawks are highly migratory birds of prey often sighted in New Mexico. They are relatively large hawks with fairly large heads, broad wings, and a long tail that is boldly patterned in dark brown. Adults are generally mottled dark and light on the lower side of their body. These hawks are named after their feathered legs and are well adapted to the cold climate. They hunt by hovering over open fields or by watching for movement from a perch. Their main targets are small mammals such as lemmings, ground squirrels, voles, birds, and reptiles. Rough-legged hawks nest on treetops and cliff ledges. Females lay 3-5 eggs, sometimes 2-6. Females mostly incubate the eggs, and it takes about 31 days. Males may temporarily sit on the eggs, though their primary duty is to provide food for the females during this period.
