5 Rare and Unusual Hawks You Can Spot in Texas (2025 Guide)
By Avian Feathers Team
Published May 2025
Discover 5 rare and unusual hawks you can spot across Texas in 2025! From elusive forest hunters to striking desert dwellers, this guide highlights unique hawk species that birders and wildlife lovers won’t want to miss.
Learn where to find them, what makes them special, and how to identify these incredible raptors in the wild.
1. Short-tailed Hawk
Short-tailed Hawks are rare visitors to Texas, usually spotted in the southern regions near the Rio Grande Valley.
These hawks are unique because they come in two color forms — a light morph with a white belly and dark back, and a dark morph that is almost entirely brown to black. Spotting either is a special treat for birdwatchers.
Short-tailed Hawks prefer forests and woodlands and are often seen soaring high in the sky searching for prey. Their diet mainly consists of small birds, which they catch in flight with impressive agility.
Size
Length: 12-15 inches / 31-38 cm
Weight: 8-12 oz / 227-340 gm
Wingspan: 24-30 inches / 61-76 cm
Scientific Name: Rupornis magnirostris
2. Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is another rare hawk in Texas, typically seen near the Mexican border.
True to its name, this small hawk is often found perched along roadsides in open areas, scanning for prey. They mostly hunt insects, small reptiles, and rodents.
Though common farther south in Central and South America, sightings in Texas are infrequent, which makes spotting one extra exciting!
Size
Length: 12-15 inches / 31-38 cm
Weight: 8-12 oz / 227-340 gm
Wingspan: 24-30 inches / 61-76 cm
Scientific Name: Rupornis magnirostris
3. Crane Hawk
Crane Hawks are rare and distinctive raptors known for their long legs and unique hunting style.
These hawks specialize in probing tree cavities, bromeliads, and other hard-to-reach places to find prey such as insects, small reptiles, and birds. Their flexible legs allow them to reach food other raptors can’t.
While they are found mostly in Central America, occasional sightings occur in southern Texas, especially near wooded waterways.
Size
Length: 18-20 inches / 46-51 cm
Weight: 15-22 oz / 425-620 gm
Wingspan: 33-40 inches / 84-102 cm
Scientific Name: Geranospiza caerulescens
4. Great Black Hawk
The Great Black Hawk is a very rare visitor to Texas and is much more commonly seen in tropical regions.
This large, striking bird is almost entirely black with a bold white tail band. It typically inhabits forests and mangroves but will hunt in a variety of open habitats.
Its diet is diverse, ranging from reptiles and amphibians to small mammals and birds. Spotting one in Texas is a special event due to their rarity.
Size
Length: 20-24 inches / 51-61 cm
Weight: 33-48 oz / 940-1360 gm
Wingspan: 47-52 inches / 120-132 cm
Scientific Name: Buteogallus urubitinga
5. White-throated Hawk
This small and secretive hawk is a very rare migrant in Texas, more often seen in mountainous regions farther south.
White-throated Hawks prefer forested environments, where they hunt small birds, mammals, and reptiles from hidden perches.
Spotting one in Texas is a rare treat and often requires being in just the right place at the right time during migration seasons.
Size
Length: 16-19 inches / 40-48 cm
Weight: 15-20 oz / 425-570 gm
Wingspan: 37-40 inches / 94-102 cm
Scientific Name: Buteo albigula
Texas is home to an incredible variety of raptors, but a few hawks stand out for their rarity and unique behavior. These five species reveal the wild, untamed side of the Lone Star State’s skies. From the shadowy flight of a Zone-tailed Hawk to the sleek glide of a Gray Hawk, each one offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Texas’s lesser-seen hunters.
Whether you’re new to birding or a dedicated hawk-watcher, spotting these uncommon raptors is a thrilling experience. Grab your binoculars, scan the horizon, and get ready to discover some of Texas’s most remarkable birds of prey.
Where to Spot Rare Hawks in Texas
From wide-open grasslands to rugged canyons, Texas offers incredible habitats where rare hawks can be seen in the wild. Here are some top locations to increase your chances of spotting these elusive raptors:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge – A prime birding hotspot in South Texas, perfect for rare migrants like the Gray Hawk.
Davis Mountains – Remote, scenic, and great for catching a glimpse of the Zone-tailed Hawk.
Big Bend National Park – Watch for Common Black Hawks near desert streams and canyons.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge – Ideal for hawk-watching during migration and a chance to spot rarities.
Hill Country – Offers open skies and wooded edges where unusual hawks like the Short-tailed Hawk may appear.
Bring your binoculars, stay patient, and watch the skies—Texas is full of surprises for hawk lovers in 2025.