Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Nevada

Nevada’s hawks, eagles, and falcons encompass species like the red-tailed hawk, often seen soaring over varied landscapes. The Cooper’s hawk’s agile hunting in woodlands and urban areas and the peregrine falcon’s incredible speed during hunts showcase their specialized adaptations to Nevada’s contrasting environments.

List of Different Types of Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Nevada

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to the state.

Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle

Golden eagles are found throughout Nevada. They prefer mountainous and hilly areas and open country of the state.

Hawks

Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
American Goshawk
Common Black Hawk
Harris’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk

All the hawks enlisted above can be found across the state, but the rough-legged species is more common in the northern part, while the sharp-shinned hawk is more often seen in the southern part of the state.

Falcons

American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Gyrfalcon (Accidental)
Crested Caracara (Accidental)

Peregrine falcons migrate through Nevada, hunting in open habitats along the way. On the western border of Nevada, they are more commonly seen year-round.

Ospreys

Osprey

Harriers

Northern Harrier

Birders can head to the Goshute Mountains HawkWatch, which has the largest concentrations of raptors in the western United States and Canada. It regularly sees 10,000 and 25,000 migrants. Notable types are the red-tailed, sharp-shinned, and Cooper’s hawks. Dozens of bald eagles descend to the snow-covered landscapes of the Carson Valley in the winter, making the spot a wildlife lover’s paradise.