Raptors are conspicuous animals that tend to attract more attention than most other species. Fortunately, there are many different species of raptors living in all sorts of environments. To help you explore the fascinating world of Michigan birds of prey, birdsofjoy.com takes you on a journey to discover and rank the five most notable birds.
Michigan birds of prey: Ranking 5 birds
Rank 1: Red-tailed Hawk
Length: 18-26 in / 45-65 cm
Weight: 1.5-3.5 lbs. / 700-1600 g
Wingspan: 43-55 in / 110-140 cm
The red-tailed hawk is probably the hawk most people are familiar with. This bird of prey is often seen in Michigan driving through the countryside, or soaring in the sky or perched on fences.
The plumage of the red-tailed hawk can be anything from nearly white to nearly black, so color is not a reliable indicator. The best way to identify them is to look for their distinctive red tail.
These hawks are highly adaptable, and there is no real description of their preferred habitat because they seem to be comfortable just about anywhere. I have seen red-tailed hawks roaming the deep wilderness to urban cities and then into my suburban backyard! Pick a habitat, such as grasslands, parks, deserts, roadsides, rainforests, woodlands, fields or scrublands, and you will see them thrive.
Rank 2: Sharp-legged Hawk
Length: 9-13.5 inches / 23-37 cm
Weight: 3-8 oz / 82-220 g
Wingspan: 16.5-26.5 inches / 42-68 cm
The Sharp-legged Hawk is one of the smallest birds of prey in Michigan.
They are extremely powerful and acrobatic. You will often see these birds of prey soaring through the woods or next to your feeder in a blur of motion!
To identify these birds, look for the orange bars on their upper chest that fade to their belly and back and the blue-gray wings. In flight, their wings are relatively short and rounded but have long tails. Females are significantly larger than males.
These birds of prey are common in wooded areas of Michigan. They are often seen around bird feeders, hunting for prey and preying on visiting songbirds. These birds of prey are ambush predators, sitting patiently and then darting out of cover at high speed to chase down birds, which make up 90% of their diet.
Rank 3: Cooper Kite
Length: 13.5-20 in / 35-50 cm
Weight: 8-24 oz / 220-680 g
Wingspan: 24.5-35.5 in / 62-90 cm
These large birds of prey are commonly found in Michigan in the woods or at the edges of fields. Cooper’s hawks are known for their agility in flight. I often see them at my home in high-speed chases through the canopy, chasing prey.
Because of their incredible flying ability, these hawks feed primarily on songbirds and are often seen in backyards around bird feeders. At my feeding station, I have observed these hawks preying on red-winged blackbirds, European starlings, and pigeons.
The most common sound Cooper’s hawks make is an alarm call that sounds like “kuck, kuck, kuc” or “cak-cak-cak”.
In appearance, the Cooper’s hawk looks very similar to the Sharp-shinned hawk. Their steely blue-gray appearance is almost identical to the Sharp-shinned hawk, from the small black cap they both wear to their tawny chests.
Rank 4: Northern Hawk
Length: 16-27 in / 41-69 cm
Weight: 22-50 oz / 630-1400 g
Wingspan: 35-50 in / 89-127 cm
Northern Goshawks are elusive birds that are hard to see because these birds of prey prefer to live in large forests far from civilization. Many people mistakenly think they have seen one in their backyard when it is just a Cooper’s Hawk, which looks quite similar.
But look closely, and you will see a dark head often accompanied by crimson eyes, making the Northern Goshawk hard to mistake. The underbody is usually a bluish-white to pale gray with stripes. The upper body is a blue-gray or even brown in certain forms.
These birds of prey are widely distributed in Michigan but can be difficult to see, especially in the suburbs and cities. Some birds migrate for short periods during the colder months, flying south until they find enough food. Others stay in the same place year-round.
An opportunistic and aggressive predator, the Northern Goshawk eats a wide variety of foods. The list includes insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Listen for the throaty “ca-ca-ca” sound. As it calls, it slowly turns its head from side to side, creating the effect of a ventriloquist’s voice.
Rank 5: Red shoulder kite
Length: 15-19 in / 38-48 cm
Weight: 1.1-1.9 lbs. / 500-860 g
Wingspan: 38-42 in / 96-107 cm
Clearly marked, the red-shouldered hawk has a fierce breast, mostly white underwings, a heavily barred tail, and of course, the red shoulders that are visible when perched.
Red-shouldered hawks are primarily forested. Their preferred habitat is forests with open upper canopies, as this open space allows them to hunt more effectively. These birds of prey are also common in suburban areas where homes have blended into the woods.
I regularly see red-shouldered hawks, especially in the winter, hunting squirrels in my backyard. In terms of food, these hawks primarily feed on small mammals but will eat snakes, lizards, and amphibians when possible. When hunting, these raptors swoop down on their prey directly from above, making their hunting style unique.
