Birds of Prey in South Carolina

The raptors of South Carolina hunt reptiles, mammals, small birds, and even fish. They are mainly falcons, eagles, kites, hawks, vultures, and owls. The large birds of prey here are the red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, bald eagle, and golden eagle. The pictorial guide helps in their identification.

List of Birds of Prey in South Carolina

Eagles

• Bald Eagle
• Golden Eagle

Falcons

• American Kestrel
• Crested Caracara
• Merlin
• Peregrine Falcon

Hawks

• Augur Buzzard
• Broad-winged Hawk
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Northern Harrier
• Osprey
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Sharp-shinned Hawk

Kites

• Mississippi Kite
• Snail Kite
• Swallow-tailed Kite
• White-tailed Kite

Owls

• American Barn Owl
• Barn Owl
• Barred Owl
• Burrowing Owl
• Eastern Screech-Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Long-eared Owl
• Northern Saw-whet Owl
• Short-eared Owl
• Snowy Owl

Vultures

• Black Vulture
• Turkey Vulture