Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Missouri

List of Different Types of Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Missouri

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to the state.

• Bald Eagle
• Golden Eagle

Thousands of eagles migrate south from their nesting range in the Great Lakes States and Canada to hunt in Missouri every fall. They start living wherever they find plentiful food and open water. Missouri reports more than 2,000 bald eagles during a typical winter. There are more than 175 active nests in the state.

Hawks

• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Cooper’s Hawk
• American Goshawk
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Broad-winged Hawk
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Ferruginous Hawk (Accidental)
• Harris’s Hawk (Accidental)

The small hawks native to the state are the sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks. The hawks are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act since 1918 and state laws. So they cannot be shot or hunted.

Falcons

• American Kestrel
• Merlin
• Peregrine Falcon
• Prairie Falcon
• Crested Caracara (Accidental)
• Gyrfalcon (Accidental)

Ospreys

• Osprey

Harriers

• Northern Harrier

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, December through February is the best time for eagle-watching across the Show-Me State. It is among the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle spotting thanks to its abundant lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Some of the best places to see them are the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Audubon Center at Riverlands east of West Alton, Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access, and Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.