Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Oklahoma

Oklahoma boasts of many notable species of hawks, eagles, and falcons. The red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks adapt to its diverse landscapes, from grasslands to forests. The bald eagle, often found near lakes and rivers, signifies waterway health. Urban-dwelling peregrine falcons and open-country American kestrels reflect the state’s varied habitats, contributing to its avian diversity.

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

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to Oklahoma.

Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle

Hawks

There are ten hawk species native to Oklahoma.

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

The above are true hawks living in the state belonging to the Accipiter and Buteo genera. Though the smallest in the state, the sharp-shinned hawk is highly acrobatic and athletic.

Falcons

Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Merlin
Gyrfalcon
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon

Ospreys

Osprey

Harriers

Northern Harrier

Ohio’s eagle-watching hotspots are Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Keystone Lake & Keystone State Park, Lake Thunderbird State Park, and Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The best place to go hawk-watching is Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.
An extremely rare all-white (leucistic) bald eagle was spotted in Oklahoma in 2022 by a college student. The same type appeared the previous year along the Illinois River in the eastern part of the state. The Grey Snow Eagle House rehabilitates injured bald and golden eagles, highlighting the state’s conservation efforts.