Do Falcons and Hawks Migrate?

Like many other bird species, falcons and hawks also migrate. However, while falcons and hawks living in northern areas travel to warmer places during the winter, birds living in Southern United States and other warm climate areas rarely migrate long distances. Even within the same population, some birds can migrate, while others do not. According to Middle East Falcon Research Group, the reason for this behavior is still unclear to science but is likely related to genetic and environmental factors.
  1. North American Hawks

    • Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) are solitary birds that rarely migrate in pairs

      or groups, and they are less common in Canada and Northern United States. The Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a common migrant through North America, although it is rare in the Southern U.S., and it often travels in pairs or small groups. The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) can migrate early, with some adults traveling north in February and south in October. The common black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) is found in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. This hawk migrates to Mexico for the winter.

    Peregrine Falcon

    • The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is one of the world's most widely spread birds of prey, with 17 subspecies, three of which live in North America. Migration is more common among falcons living in regions of cold climate. Populations found in the Middle East and Central and South America do not migrate, because they can find food throughout the region's mild winter. "Peregrinus" means wanderer in Latin.

    Saker Falcon

    • The Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) is found in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Saker falcons are partial migrants, which means that some birds migrate while adult territory holders in warmer areas tend to stay in the same area throughout the year. Populations living in Europe often winter in Mediterranean areas and Northern Africa. Migratory Saker falcons from Mongolia and Central and Eastern Siberia travel to the Tibetan Plateau before winter.

    Migratory Behavior

    • Adults tend to migrate earlier in some species of North American hawks, according to The Wilson Ornithological Society. Adult male Sharp-shinned hawks generally migrate before than adult females. However, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's juvenile females can migrate before males, probably due to their earlier sexual maturity when compared to males of the same age.

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