Yes. Hawks are birds of prey and many species eat other birds as a major part of their diet. Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks specialise in catching birds. Red-tailed Hawks eat birds less frequently, preferring rodents and rabbits.
Which Hawks Eat Birds
| Hawk species | Birds in diet | Primary hunting style |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper’s Hawk | Very high - bird specialist | Ambush in forests and backyards |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Very high - bird specialist | Fast pursuit through dense cover |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Moderate | Soaring and diving on open ground prey |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Low-moderate | Hunts from perches in woodlands |
| Broad-winged Hawk | Low | Prefers amphibians and small mammals |
| Harris’s Hawk | Moderate | Pack hunting in desert environments |
What Birds Do Hawks Eat?
| Prey birds | Which hawks target them |
|---|---|
| Sparrows and finches | Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks |
| Doves and pigeons | Cooper’s Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks |
| Blue jays | Cooper’s Hawks |
| Robins and thrushes | Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks |
| Woodpeckers | Cooper’s Hawks |
| Starlings | Multiple hawk species |
| Chickens and poultry | Cooper’s Hawks (nicknamed “Chicken Hawk”), Red-tailed Hawks |
| Ducklings | Red-tailed Hawks, larger hawk species |
Accipiters vs Buteos
| Feature | Accipiters (bird hunters) | Buteos (soaring hawks) |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk | Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk |
| Wings | Short, rounded | Long, broad |
| Tail | Long, rudder-like | Short, fan-shaped |
| Hunting style | Fast pursuit through trees | Soaring and diving from height |
| Primary prey | Birds | Rodents, rabbits, snakes |
| Habitat | Forests, suburbs with trees | Open country, grasslands |
How Hawks Hunt Birds
Ambush - Cooper’s Hawks hide in dense cover near feeders, then burst out at high speed to grab a bird.
Pursuit - Sharp-shinned Hawks chase birds through trees and brush with incredible agility.
Surprise stoop - Red-tailed Hawks dive from high altitude onto birds in the open.
Protecting Backyard Birds from Hawks
| Strategy | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Cage feeders | Let small birds in, keep hawks out |
| Dense shrubs near feeders | Give small birds escape cover |
| Avoid ground feeding | Ground birds are easy hawk targets |
| Remove hawk perches | Cut back bare branches overlooking feeders |
| Temporarily remove feeders | If a hawk is hunting your feeder daily, remove it for 1-2 weeks |
Hawks eating birds is natural predation, not something to prevent permanently. Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks have evolved specifically to hunt other birds. If one visits your garden, it is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
