Massachusetts Hawks
Massachusetts hosts three Accipiter species: sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk, and northern goshawk. These bird-eating hawks are long-tailed and possess relatively short, rounded wings and therefore are frequently virtually identical in features, making them tricky to identify.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)


Buteos
Their favorite food is often composed of small mammal, however they will feed on birds, reptiles, and even insects. Buteos incorporate the rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk, and red-shouldered hawk.
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)


Rough-legged hawks are arctic breeders but frequently go south west to Massachusetts in the winter. Search for rough-legs in large open fields which is their preferred habitat. They have been the only buteo that regularly searches by “kiting,” or hovering in place.