Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are a common species of hawk found throughout North America, including Cape Cod in Massachusetts. They are often seen perched on telephone poles, trees, or other high vantage points, scanning the ground for prey. They are large birds, with a wingspan of up to 56 inches and a body length of up to 25 inches. They have a distinctive reddish-brown tail, which helps to identify them in flight. Their upperparts are brown and their underparts are pale with dark streaks. They also have a prominent dark band on their belly. These hawks are opportunistic predators and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals such as rodents, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They typically hunt by sitting and waiting for prey to pass by, or by soaring in circles over open areas, looking for potential targets.

Cooper’s hawks (Accipiter cooperii) are small, forest-dwelling hawks found throughout North America. They are adept at flying through dense woods in pursuit of small birds and mammals. On Cape Cod, Cooper’s hawks can be found year-round as both resident breeding birds and seasonal migrants. The Cape’s mix of woods, scrubland, and suburban areas provides good habitat. Breeding pairs build nests in pines, oaks, maples and other trees. Nests are typically 20-60 feet above ground. The Cape’s many small woodland areas support nesting. These hawks hunt songbirds like juncos, sparrows, woodpeckers, robins and jays by ambushing them in the forest understory. Small mammals like chipmunks and squirrels are also prey.

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