What Are Chicken Hawks? Ultimate Guide to These Misunderstood Birds of Prey

Ever looked up at the sky and spotted a hawk circling overhead and wondered, “Is that one of those chicken hawks I’ve heard about?” You’re not alone! The term “chicken hawk” is commonly used in rural America, but there’s actually a lot of confusion about what these birds really are and whether they’re the chicken-stealing villains their name suggests.

As a bird enthusiast who’s spent countless hours observing these magnificent raptors, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about these misunderstood birds Let’s dive into what chicken hawks actually are, how to identify them, and some fascinating facts about their behavior

What Exactly Is a Chicken Hawk?

First things first – “chicken hawk” isn’t actually an official bird name! It’s a colloquial term used primarily in the United States to refer to three specific species of hawks

1. Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
2. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
3. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Despite what the name suggests, these birds don’t primarily hunt chickens. In fact, the term has led to a lot of misconceptions that have unfortunately resulted in these birds being persecuted over the years. The American Ornithologists’ Union considers the term “chicken hawk” obsolete for scientific purposes, but it’s still widely used in rural areas.

The Three “Chicken Hawks”: Identification Guide

Let’s get to know each of these impressive birds:

Cooper’s Hawk

Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized hawks that are sometimes called “quail hawks.” These agile predators are known for their incredible maneuverability and hunting skills.

Key characteristics:

• Size: 14-20 inches in length
• Wingspan: 29-37 inches
• Weight: 0.8-1.5 pounds
• Appearance: Square-shaped head with a dark gray “cap,” thick legs and claws, and a distinctive wedge-shaped tail
• Habitat: Mature forests, open woodlands, and areas with tall trees and openings
• Range: Southern Canada to Mexico

Cooper’s Hawks are stealthy hunters that move quietly between perches under thick cover, observing carefully before making a sudden burst of speed to catch prey.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest of the three “chicken hawks” but just as impressive a hunter.

Key characteristics:

• Size: 9-14 inches in length (smaller than a crow)
• Wingspan: 17-23 inches
• Weight: Just 0.2-0.5 pounds
• Appearance: Small with long, slender bodies and long tails
• Habitat: Dense forests, especially for nesting
• Range: Throughout North America, extending into Central America, Argentina, and Brazil

These little hunters specialize in catching small birds, often hiding in foliage before suddenly dashing out to catch birds in flight.

Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is the largest and most common of the three species referred to as chicken hawks.

Key characteristics:

• Size: 18-25 inches in length
• Wingspan: 43-53 inches
• Weight: 1.5-3.5 pounds
• Appearance: Rich chocolate-brown bodies with distinctive rusty-red tails
• Habitat: Incredibly adaptable – found in deserts, grasslands, forests, parks, and even urban areas
• Range: From central Alaska through Canada and across the entire United States, south through Mexico, and into Central America

These versatile predators are frequently spotted perched along highways (earning them the nickname “roadside hawks”) and can adapt to almost any habitat.

The Chicken Hawk Diet: Do They Actually Eat Chickens?

Here’s where the name gets misleading. Despite being called “chicken hawks,” these birds don’t actually target chickens as a significant part of their diet!

The truth is:

• Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily hunt other wild birds and small mammals
• Red-tailed Hawks mostly prey on rodents and rabbits
• Most chickens are too heavy for these hawks to carry off, particularly for the smaller Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks
• Red-tailed Hawks may occasionally hunt free-range poultry if given the opportunity, but this is opportunistic rather than their main food source

Their typical diet includes:

• Small mammals (mice, voles, squirrels, rabbits)
• Wild birds
• Reptiles (snakes, lizards)
• Amphibians (frogs)
• Insects
• Sometimes carrion (especially Red-tailed Hawks)

Chicken Hawk Behavior and Lifestyle

These birds are truly fascinating in their habits and behaviors!

Temperament

Chicken hawks are generally solitary and territorial. They’re fierce hunters with aggressive tendencies when defending their territory or hunting. However, they’re typically not aggressive toward humans unless they feel threatened, particularly when protecting their young.

Social Structure

They typically only seek companionship during mating season. Chicken hawks are monogamous and often mate for life, showing remarkable loyalty to their partners.

Hunting Style

Each species has distinct hunting techniques:

• Cooper’s Hawks are ambush predators that use stealth and short bursts of speed
• Sharp-shinned Hawks specialize in chasing small birds through dense vegetation
• Red-tailed Hawks often hunt by perching and scanning open areas, then swooping down on prey

Flight Speed

These birds are impressively fast! Depending on the species, chicken hawks can fly between 54 to 118 mph. The Red-tailed Hawk is the speediest, capable of reaching speeds up to 118 mph when diving.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The breeding season for chicken hawks typically runs from late February through May, though this varies by location. Their courtship displays involve spectacular aerial acrobatics, including soaring flights and free falls.

Some fascinating breeding facts:

• They build nests high in trees, often at the top of tall trees under the canopy
• Females lay 1-5 eggs per clutch
• Incubation period lasts 28-35 days
• Both parents help raise the young
• Chicks stay with parents for up to six months, learning essential survival skills

Lifespan and Threats

Chicken hawks have a high mortality rate during their first two years, but those that survive this period can live surprisingly long lives:

• Average lifespan in the wild: 3-8 years
• Maximum potential lifespan: Over 20 years
• The oldest known wild Red-tailed Hawk was at least 30 years old when found in Michigan in 2011

These birds face numerous threats, including:

• Habitat destruction
• Vehicle collisions
• Illegal shooting (often due to the misconception that they regularly prey on chickens)
• Larger predators (eagles, owls)
• Ground predators that target eggs and chicks (raccoons, foxes, snakes)

Chicken Hawks in Popular Culture

Chicken hawks have made their mark in American pop culture:

• Henery Hawk, a character created by Chuck Jones and Robert McKimson in the Looney Tunes series, was a young hawk who didn’t know what a chicken looked like
• The character Foghorn Leghorn was introduced to complement Henery Hawk
• Looney Tunes also featured chicken hawks Elvis and Pappy
• Jim Henson’s Animal Show featured Armstrong the Chickenhawk
• An episode of The Waltons titled “The Hawk” featured a plotline about a chicken hawk

Why Chicken Hawks Matter

I believe these birds deserve our respect and protection. As apex predators, they play crucial roles in their ecosystems by controlling populations of small mammals and birds. Their presence indicates a healthy, balanced environment.

When I spent time volunteering at a wildlife rescue center, I personally cared for a red-tailed hawk that had been shot, likely due to misconceptions about these birds. Seeing that magnificent creature recover reinforced my commitment to educating others about these important predators.

How to Deter Chicken Hawks (If You Have Chickens)

If you’re a chicken owner concerned about hawks, there are humane ways to protect your flock without harming these important birds:

• Use covered runs or overhead netting
• Install shiny objects like old CDs that reflect light
• Consider getting a rooster (they’ll alert hens to danger)
• Provide plenty of covered areas where chickens can hide
• Avoid feeding birds in open areas

So what are chicken hawks? They’re three different species of North American raptors that have been misunderstood and mislabeled throughout history. Despite their name, they rarely target chickens and instead serve as important predators that help maintain the balance of nature.

Next time you spot one of these magnificent birds soaring overhead, I hope you’ll see it not as a threat to poultry but as a fascinating and valuable part of our natural world.

Have you ever spotted a chicken hawk in your area? Or maybe you’ve got questions about how to identify one? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences with these incredible birds!

Hawks attack and kill chickens for food, primarily targeting smaller, younger, or weaker birds like chicks, bantams, and game hens, but adult chickens are also vulnerable. They use their sharp talons to deliver a killing blow, often upon impact, or to snatch and carry the chicken away. While hawks usually eat their prey, they may not consume a chicken if they are interrupted, feel threatened, or if the chicken is too large to carry. Leftover feathers on the ground can indicate a hawk attack.

The term “chicken hawk” has at least two meanings: in politics, it describes a war hawk who has avoided military service, derived from “chicken” (coward) and “hawk” (war advocate). In ornithology, it’s a common but inaccurate name for certain hawks, particularly the Cooper’s hawk, which hunt other birds and small mammals, not primarily chickens.

A “chicken hawk” is a colloquial term for several North American raptors, most commonly the Red-tailed Hawk, known for its bright red tail and broad wings; the Cooper’s Hawk, which has bluish-gray back, reddish-barred chest, and a long, rounded tail; and the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk, which also has a long tail and slender legs. Their appearance varies by species, but all have sharp, hooked beaks and are built for hunting other birds or small mammals.