Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in New Jersey

List of Different Types of Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in New Jersey

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to New Jersey.

• Bald Eagle
• Golden Eagle

Hawks

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

The largest hawk in the state is the rough-legged hawk, while the sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest.

Falcons

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

Peregrine falcons can be spotted year-round in New Jersey, mainly along the coast – however, their numbers peak from mid-August to November. Gyrfalcons, the largest falcons in the world, though rare, have been spotted in the south of New Jersey during winter from December to March.

Ospreys

• Osprey

Harriers

• Northern Harrier
• Western Marsh Harrier (Accidental)

Fall is the best season to visit the hawk-watching spots in New Jersey, as that is when the birds migrate. An excellent location is Cape May, which is regarded as one of the best birding destinations in the world. Other places are the Chimney Rock Hawk Watch, Raccoon Ridge, Kittatinny Mountain, And Montclair Hawk Lookout. All these places allow you to view the state’s falcons apart from the hawks.