By Avian Feathers Team
Published June 2025
Arizona’s wild deserts, forests and canyons are perfect places for hawks. These sharp-eyed hunters glide over cliffs, perch on tall saguaros and scan the ground for their next meal. Some hawks live here all year. Others pass through during migration. Every sighting feels like a little thrill.
Here are 5 hawks you can spot in Arizona.
1. Red-tailed Hawk
This is the most common and widespread hawk in Arizona. You’ll often see it perched on poles or soaring in wide circles above the desert. Its red tail is easy to spot when the sunlight hits just right. These hawks are powerful and steady hunters that adapt to almost any landscape.
Size
Length: 18–26 inches.
Wingspan: 43–55 inches.
Weight: 1.5–3.5 pounds.
Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
2. Harris’s Hawk
Unlike most hawks, Harris’s Hawks hunt in family groups. They are social, smart and often work together to catch prey. These dark brown hawks with chestnut shoulders are commonly seen in southern Arizona, especially in the Sonoran Desert. Look for them perched side by side on poles or cacti.
Size
Length: 18–24 inches.
Wingspan: 40–47 inches.
Weight: 1.5–3 pounds.
Scientific Name: Parabuteo unicinctus
3. Zone-tailed Hawk
This hawk often fools people by looking like a Turkey Vulture from far away. It has dark plumage and flies with its wings slightly raised. But look closer and you’ll see a bold white band on the tail. Zone-tailed Hawks live in canyons and desert mountains in Arizona during spring and summer.
Size
Length: 18–22 inches.
Wingspan: 43–55 inches.
Weight: 1.5–2 pounds.
Scientific Name: Buteo albonotatus
4. Gray Hawk
This graceful hawk lives in southern Arizona along rivers and in cottonwood forests. It has soft gray feathers and a high-pitched whistle that’s easy to recognize. Gray Hawks are more tropical in origin and only breed in a small part of the U.S. Catching sight of one is always a treat.
Size
Length: 15–19 inches.
Wingspan: 30–35 inches.
Weight: 14–17 ounces.
Scientific Name: Buteo plagiatus
5. Cooper’s Hawk
This agile hawk is a backyard regular in many parts of Arizona. It flies fast through trees, chasing after birds like doves and sparrows. Cooper’s Hawks have a sleek body, a long tail and red eyes. They are year-round residents and often visit neighborhoods with tall trees or bird feeders.
Size
Length: 13–20 inches.
Wingspan: 24–36 inches.
Weight: 8–24 ounces.
Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii
From the widespread Red-tailed Hawk soaring over deserts to the unique family-hunting Harris’s Hawk in the Sonoran, Arizona’s skies are truly alive with fascinating raptors. Whether it’s the camouflaged Zone-tailed Hawk gliding in canyons or the agile Cooper’s Hawk zipping through a backyard, each sighting offers a thrilling glimpse into the wild heart of the state. These sharp-eyed hunters are a testament to Arizona’s diverse landscapes, always providing action for those who take the time to look up.
Where to Spot Hawks in Arizona
Arizona’s wild deserts, forests, and canyons are perfect places for hawks. These sharp-eyed hunters glide over cliffs, perch on tall saguaros, and scan the ground for their next meal. Here’s where to increase your chances of seeing them:
- Red-tailed Hawk: This is the most common hawk in Arizona and can be spotted almost anywhere. Look for them perched on poles or soaring in wide circles above deserts, open fields, and various landscapes across the state.
- Harris’s Hawk: Commonly seen in southern Arizona, especially in the Sonoran Desert. Look for these social hawks perched side by side on poles or cacti.
- Zone-tailed Hawk: Found in canyons and desert mountains in Arizona during spring and summer. Look for them flying with wings slightly raised, often mimicking Turkey Vultures.
- Gray Hawk: Lives in southern Arizona along rivers and in cottonwood forests. Catching sight of this graceful hawk is always a treat.
- Cooper’s Hawk: A year-round resident, this agile hawk is a backyard regular in many parts of Arizona. Look for them flying fast through neighborhoods with tall trees or near bird feeders, chasing smaller birds.
Arizona skies are full of action if you take the time to look up.
Which of these hawks have you seen soaring or perched nearby? Let us know your favorite Arizona hawk.