Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons in Washington

Washington’s varied habitats sustain hawks, eagles, and falcons. The northern harrier’s marsh-hunting strategy adapts to wetlands. Cooper’s Hawks in woodlands and Peregrine Falcons in urban areas showcase adaptation. The rough-legged Hawk thrives in open spaces, embodying the state’s avian diversity.

Hawks Eagle and Falcons in Washington (WA)

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

Eagles

There are two types of eagles native to Washington state.

Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle

The nesting eagles’ breeding season starts in late September and continues until early October. Their nesting season lasts from late September through early August. They lay eggs generally from late winter to early spring. As of 2023, the state has 900 pairs of bald eagles.

Hawks

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

The beautiful ferruginous hawks, the largest in North America, live in the open areas of Washington. The incredibly acrobatic and athletic sharp-shinned hawks are the smallest in the state.

Falcons

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

Ospreys

Osprey

Harriers

Northern Harrier

The best places to view eagles are the Nooksack River down Mosquito Lake Road and the scenic and wild Skagit River. The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center in Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport, is an excellent resource since it offers guest speakers and guided hikes. Bald eagles nest primarily along major northeastern and western Washington rivers and marine shorelines. Nests are absent or rare in southeastern Washington and the Columbia Basin, but overwintering birds are common locally.