9 Birds of Prey That You Can See in North America This Summer
In my opinion, summer is the best time of year to go birdwatching. Maybe its the longer days and more sunlight or the warmer temperatures, but I always find that I can stay out for much longer, and almost always see something special. And one of those special things that I always see in the summer is birds of prey. Sure, you might see the odd hawk out hunting during the fall or winter, but if you want to see raptors in North America, summer is the best time to go looking. Here are nine birds of prey that just might cross your path this summer.
Red-Tailed Hawk
This is probably the hawk you've seen perched on a telephone pole or soaring high above open fields. They're everywhere, but somehow spotting one never gets old. And you’ll recognize their iconic screeching call from your favorite western movies. Red-tailed haws are all over the place in summer, gliding through the sky as they hunt. They’re patient, methodical hunters, and if you see one circling, they’re probably eyeing up a mouse or rabbit. You don’t have to go anywhere special to find one, as they’re often hiding in plain sight. Just look closely, as they are fantastic at blending in with the landscape.
American Kestrel
Kestrels are like the sports cars of the raptor world: small, sleek, fast, and flashy. They’re no bigger than a dove but have the daring confidence of something ten times their size. Males have rusty backs and slate-blue heads, while females are a softer brown color. You’ll spot them hovering like a helicopter over fields or perched on wires, bobbing their tails. They hunt insects and small critters, and they don’t mind spending some time in cities. If you live in the suburbs or on a rural road, keep an eye out for a little blur of movement in the sky.
Northern Harrier
Some people find harriers to be a little spooky, but I think that’s part of their charm. You might mistake them for an owl because of their slightly owl-like face that helps them hear mice under the grass, but don’t be fooled. Harriers are quiet, not flashy raptors, so when you spot one, it feels special.They fly low over marshes and meadows, their wings forming a shallow “V” and their white rump patch flashing like a signal. They're more commonly spotted in wide, open spaces, so if you're near a prairie or wetland, you have a good chance of seeing one.
Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s hawks are summer visitors, flying all the way from Argentina to breed in North America. That’s a pretty epic journey! Once here, they settle into grasslands and open country, often forming loose colonies. They’re a bit slimmer than red-tails, with a distinctive brown bib and pale belly, which makes them easy to identify. What’s really neat is that in summer they switch from a diet of mostly insects to feeding their young rodents and small birds. They’re often seen soaring in groups, catching the wind like it’s second nature. Don’t miss your chance to see a Swainson’s hawk before the summer is over, or you’ll have to wait until next summer.
Bald Eagle
It’s easy to forget that bald eagles were once an endangered species. Now, in many parts of the country, they’ve made a comeback and they’re thriving. Summer is a good time to see bald eagles near lakes and rivers, where they hunt fish or steal dinner from ospreys. Despite their size and power, they can be a little goofy on land. But in flight? They’re the national bird for a reason. If you’ve ever watched one circle above a lake, you know how powerful and bold they look, and seeing one in the wild always feels a little extra special.
Cooper’s Hawk
These raptors are built for speed and maneuvering. They dart through trees like fighter jets, chasing birds with surprising precision. If you have a bird feeder, chances are you’ve seen one make a surprise visit. They're not after the seed, instead they’re hunting the songbirds that have gathered at the feeder. It might feel a little brutal to see birds hunting other birds, but that’s just how nature is sometimes. Cooper’s hawks are medium-sized, with rounded tails and piercing eyes, and they often go unnoticed until they’re right in front of you. If you ever hear a sudden commotion of birds outside, it might just be a Cooper’s hawk on the hunt.
Osprey
Ospreys are easy to love. They’re graceful, specialized hunters that dive into water feet-first to catch fish. You’ll often find them near rivers, lakes, or coastlines, circling and calling with a high-pitched whistle as they fish. Their nests are huge and often built up high on platforms, or telephone poles. With their white heads and dark eye-stripes they look like a cross between an eagle and a gull. Watching one dive is thrilling as they fold their wings, stretch out their legs, and splash into the water. Then they rise up, fish in tow. It’s no wonder they’re so beloved.
Turkey Vulture
On the other end of the spectrum, turkey vultures aren’t exactly everyone's favorite bird. But they deserve more credit. Turkey vultures are scavengers, and that’s a good thing as they keep the environment clean. You’ll recognize them by their wobbly flight, like a kite caught in a breeze, and their bright red heads. They’re incredibly sensitive to scent and can find carrion from miles away. They're peaceful, mostly silent, and surprisingly graceful when soaring. It’s fascinating to see something that many people consider ugly on the ground become so beautiful in the air. They remind us that everything has its place in the circle of life, even if it makes us a little uncomfortable at times.
Great Horned Owl
You might not see one, but you’ll know it’s there. Great horned owls are year-round residents in most of North America, and in summer they’re often busy raising their young. These owls are powerful, they can take down prey as big as skunks! They’re incredibly quiet fliers, thanks to the soft edges of their feathers, and their big yellow eyes feel like they see everything. But despite how quiet they can be, you might still hear their deep hoots around dusk. Look up into tall trees around sunset, especially near fields or forest edges. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of these silent shadows moving through the trees.
Don’t Miss Your Chance
Birds of prey live all around us, right in our neighborhoods, parks, and cities. All it really takes to see them is knowing where to look and paying a little more attention. So this summer, give yourself permission to pause and just turn your eyes to the sky. You don’t need fancy gear or deep knowledge to appreciate birds of prey. Just a little curiosity and the information in this article should be enough to get started. There’s nothing holding you back from seeing some incredible raptors this summer.