Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s skies feature diverse hawks, eagles, and falcons. The red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon thrive here. Their varying hunting strategies adapt to the state’s forests, rivers, and mountains, showcasing New Hampshire’s rich avian life.

List of Different Types of Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in New Hampshire

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to the state.

Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle

The Bald Eagle was taken off the federal Threatened and Endangered Species List in 2007 and from the New Hampshire T&E List in 2017. More than 80 territorial pairs of these iconic birds currently live in New Hampshire, and the numbers continue to rise thanks to successful conservation efforts.

Hawks

Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
American Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk (Accidental)

The northern goshawk and rough-legged hawk are more common in the northern part of the state, while the red-shouldered species are more common in the southern region. The Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks are the small hawks, while the red-tailed hawk is counted among the bigger hawks of New Hampshire.

Falcons

American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Gyrfalcon (Accidental)

Peregrine falcons were considered endangered until the late 1990s. Though conservation efforts have increased their numbers to some extent, they’re still a threatened species in New Hampshire.

Ospreys

Osprey

Harriers

Northern Harrier

The Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory is one of the best spots for watching the spectacular hawk migration every autumn. It is when thousands of these raptors pass over the state to reach their southern wintering grounds. The Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see ospreys and nesting eagles.