![]() They have stark bars on the tail and pitch black eyes. ![]() These hawks have deep, reddish chestnut colored feathers that appear marbled on the wings with bars on the breast. With all of these adaptations, it’s no wonder that these raptors are incredible at hunting!ģ. What’s more, is other adaptations allow them to detect polarized light and magnetic fields. These allow them to perceive light on the visible spectrum (like humans) and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. Hawks have four types of color receptors in their eyes. Little birds out in the open, focused on stuffing their bills? The hawks are practically being fed on a silver platter!Ĭooper’s Hawks can be found in all of North Carolina year-round. Their power, paired with agility and stealth, make them formidable predators and they can shoot through the treetops, chasing prey at super speeds.ĭon’t be surprised if a Cooper’s hawk (or Sharpie) swoops down onto your backyard feeders. However, there’s likely to be discrepancies between large female sharpies and small male Cooper’s, since female hawks are larger than males.Ĭooper’s hawks are some of the most able and skilled fliers in the bird world. Very similar to the Sharpies in looks, but Cooper’s are larger overall. The rest of the state is home to wintering migrants. Sharpies are found year-round in western North Carolina. If the catch is for their mate or nestlings, they will often remove and eat the head first before giving the rest away. Because of this, they are known as “pursuit hunters.”Īfter performing their acrobatics through the trees and catching a meal with their catlike talons, sharpies will take its prey back to a perch and de-feather it. Unlike some larger hawks that swoop down on their prey from high above, these agile hawks are small and quick enough to dart through woods to sneak up on their prey or burst from a tree limb to chase them. They have copper barring on their white underparts and blue grey feathering on their backs, nape, and crown, giving it a hooded look. Sharp-shinned hawks are the smallest accipiters and are fondly referred to as “sharpies.” Unlike the accipiters, buteos prefer non-bird prey. They fly very fast through trees and use long legs to snatch their prey-usually birds.īuteos, genus Buteo, include the other 4 species on this list (Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Red-tailed Hawk.) These birds soar high in the air and swoop down on prey from perches. Out of the 6 species of hawks in North Carolina, 2 of those belong to the genus Accipiter (Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk) and are ambush hunters. The 6 species of hawks in North Carolina are the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and the Northern Harrier. Let’s take a look at some pictures and learn a little bit about each species to help you identify them. In this article we’ll talk specifically about hawks in North Carolina and what species can be found in the state. Their hooked bills, large talons, fierce demeanors, and conspicuous presence while perched on a telephone pole or dead tree limb are easy to recognize. Most people are able to point out a hawk if they see one.
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