How Big Are Hawks? Size and Wingspan Facts

Hawks are among the most common and widespread raptors. Watching them soar overhead or swoop low to catch prey is always fascinating. These large raptors are excellent hunters that rely on their strong talons and flying skills to catch prey. Just how big are hawks, though? Read on to learn more about the size and wingspan of hawks.

Which Hawk Has the Largest Wingspan?

The upland buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) of Asia is generally believed to have the largest wingspan among true hawks (buteo). It can be found in forests, grasslands, steppe, semi-arid habitats, and many others. Although their plumage varies, all individuals have long, barred tails and partially feathered legs. They also fly with their wings in a “V” shape. Upland buzzards typically feed on small rodents such as voles, ground squirrels, and marmots. They measure up to 28 inches long, weigh 4.5 pounds, and have a wingspan of up to 5.25 feet.

The hawk with the largest wingspan in North America is the ferruginous hawk. The ferruginous hawk lives in the western United States, mostly in deserts and prairies. They have gleaming white bodies with a rusty red coloration on their backs and necks. They prey on prairie dogs, small mammals, and squirrels. Famous for their hunting strategy, they will sit outside of a hole and wait for hours for their prey to emerge. The ferruginous hawk measures up to 27.2 inches long, weighs up to 4.6 pounds, and has a wingspan of up to 4.65 feet.

Common U.S. Hawks and Their Sizes and Wingspans

There are over 200 species of hawks worldwide. At least 18 species inhabit the United States. In the following sections, we will focus on the sizes and wingspans of some of the most common hawks you might encounter in the U.S.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are probably the most widespread and common hawks here in the U.S. They have wide, rounded wings and short, broad, red tails. Most red-tailed hawks are brown on their upper parts with pale undersides and streaked bellies. Females are slightly larger and heavier than males. Red-tailed hawks measure 17.7-25.6 inches long and weigh between 1.5 and 3.2 pounds. On average, a red-tailed hawk’s wingspan is between 3.6 and 4.3 feet.

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus) are the smallest hawks in the U.S. and can be found throughout most of the country. They can be identified by the reddish-orange bars across their chest, blue-grey upper parts, and long tails with dark bands. Females are typically around one-third larger than males. Sharp-shinned hawks measure between 9.4-13.4 inches long and weigh between 0.2 and 0.48 pounds. Their wingspans measure from 1.4 to 1.84 feet.

Cooper’s Hawk

Cooper’s hawks (Astur cooperii) are also found throughout most of the U.S. They look similar to sharp-shinned hawks, with blue-gray upper parts, reddish bars on the underparts, and dark bands on their long tails. Cooper’s hawks measure 14.6-17.7 inches long and can weigh 0.48 to 1.5 pounds, with females being larger. Their wingspans can measure between approximately 2 and 3 feet.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) primarily live in the eastern United States, but there is a subspecies that can be found along the West Coast. These hawks can be identified by their distinctive checkered wings, reddish-colored barring on the breast, and black tails with thin white bands. Red-shouldered hawks measure from 16.9 to 24.0 inches in length and weigh from 1.06 to 1.69 pounds. These hawks have a wingspan of 3.08 to 3.59 feet. Females are generally larger than males.

Broad-Winged Hawk

Broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus) live throughout the eastern and Midwestern United States. They have reddish-brown heads with reddish bars on their pale underparts. They also have wide, black and white bands on their short, squared tails. Broad-winged hawks measure 13.4-17.3 inches long and weigh 0.58 to 1.24 pounds, with females being larger. Their wingspans measure 2.65 to 3.28 feet.

How Fast and Far Can a Hawk Fly?

A red-tailed hawk can fly at speeds in excess of 120mph during hunting dives. While they are calmly soaring, they generally cruise between 20 and 40mph. The red-tailed hawk is believed to be the fastest true hawk in the world.

Some hawks, such as broad-winged hawks, are known to fly between 200-300 miles a day when migrating, though daily distances can vary by species. Covering these incredible distances, hawks can cross the entire country in just a few days. However, when a hawk is within its home range, it rarely leaves the few square miles it uses to hunt.