Harris’s Hawk
Arizona is home to an impressive diversity of raptors—birds of prey that include hawks, eagles, falcons, kites, harriers, vultures, and owls. The state’s varied habitats, from desert lowlands to high-elevation forests and riparian canyons, provide ideal conditions for both resident and migratory raptor species.
Common hawks in Arizona include the Red-tailed Hawk, Harris’s Hawk (notably cooperative hunters often seen in family groups), and Swainson’s Hawk. Among eagles, both Bald and Golden Eagles occur, with Golden Eagles favoring open country and cliffs. Falcons such as the American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, and the powerful Peregrine Falcon are regularly observed, while the Crested Caracara, a tropical falcon relative, is seen in southern parts of the state.
Arizona also hosts several owls, including Great Horned, Western Screech, and Burrowing Owls, as well as rarer species like the Elf Owl, Flammulated Owl, and Spotted Owl, particularly in the Sky Islands and forested mountains. Turkey Vultures are widespread, and the Black Vulture is expanding its range into the southern part of the state.
Migration brings dramatic spectacles to locations like the Huachuca Mountains and the Verde Valley, where hawk watches reveal hundreds or thousands of soaring raptors during seasonal passages. With over 30 species documented statewide, Arizona is one of the premier states in the U.S. for raptor diversity and viewing opportunities.