Red-tailed Hawk Migration: A Complete Guide

The red-tailed hawk is a common bird of prey in North America. The red-tailed hawk has been called the jack-of-all-trades raptor, and there are about 16 subspecies that vary widely in appearance and behavior.

In all cases, red-tailed hawks are robust, agile predators with a varied diet. Red-tailed hawks are common in North America, but do they migrate?

Red-tailed hawks are partially migratory, and the further north they come from, the more likely they are to migrate. For example, subspecies that breed in Alaska, Alberta, Yukon, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario are almost always migratory. Most red-tailed hawks from the northern US states of Washington, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Maine also migrate.

The further south you go, the less likely red-tailed hawks are to migrate. There are many resident non-migratory subspecies in the southern states of the United States and Mexico. Many people in the Pacific Northwest also rarely migrate.

In general, red-tailed hawks are likely to migrate when their breeding grounds are icy or snowy for most of the year.

Red-tailed hawk migration is complicated, and there’s a lot to learn – read on to find out!

Red-tailed hawks are classified as partial migrators

Do red-tailed hawks migrate?

Red-tailed hawks are partially migratory. This common raptor is found throughout North America, but only the northernmost third of the population reliably migrates.

Red-tailed hawks migrate reliably each year throughout much of northern Alaska, Alberta, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, northern Quebec, Manitoba, and northern Ontario. In the United States, red-tailed hawks from the northern states of Washington, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine also migrate frequently, but It is far from guaranteed that they will migrate every year.

Between 4,500 and 9,000 red-tailed hawks migrate across Ontario each fall, with about 15,000 migrating to Eagle Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota.

There are still birds in the northern U.S., Nova Scotia, southern Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest that don’t migrate every year — only during particularly cold winters.

Red-tailed hawks are less likely to migrate the farther south they go. Birds in the southern United States, Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean, and other parts of Central America are resident and often do not migrate at all.

Close-up of a migrating red-tailed hawk

How do red-tailed hawks migrate?

Red-tailed hawk migration is complex. Most northern red-tailed hawks migrate as early as August, with juveniles taking the lead. During migration, red-tailed hawks form loosely organized flocks, in contrast to their often solitary personality.

Eagles congregate near “leading lines,” which are topographical features such as rivers, coastlines, canyons, valleys, and mountains. They follow the same leading lines each year, making it fairly simple to observe their migration from famous eagle-watching sites.

Red-tailed hawks follow them south, soaring through the heat of early autumn. This makes their journey more efficient, but hawks still lose a lot of weight during migration.

Most red-tailed hawks glide at a fairly low speed of 40 to 60 km/h and do not rush. The entire migration journey can take more than a month.

Red-tailed hawk perched on a fence post

When do red-tailed hawks migrate?

The vast majority of migrating red-tailed hawks migrate in late September or October, but juveniles in northern latitudes may leave in late August.

The peak migration occurs in mid-October when all migratory birds are migrating. In mid-October, dozens of birds pass famous leading lines every day, such as Eagle Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota.

When it’s time to return to their breeding grounds, red-tailed hawks rarely leave until late March. Many do not return to their breeding grounds until June.

How far do red-tailed hawks migrate?

The distances that red-tailed hawks migrate vary widely. Most migration journeys are under 1,500 km, which is still considerable, but a handful of young banded hawks migrate from Idaho to Guatemala, a distance of about 4,200 km (2,600 miles). Birds from Oregon have been recorded on their way to Sinaloa, Mexico.

It is unclear whether the same hawks migrate to the same locations each year. However, when returning to their breeding grounds, many do attempt to re-use the same nest they still have available.

red tailed hawk in flight

Which states do red-tailed hawks migrate from?

Most red-tailed hawks in Alaska, Canada, and the Great Plains migrate reliably, but there are some exceptions. For example, birds in Nova Scotia and southern Alaska don’t always migrate or only migrate a short distance, depending on the weather.

Most red-tailed hawks in Canada’s Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon, northern Quebec, and northern Ontario migrate annually.

In the United States, birds typically migrate in Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine. However, not all birds in the Pacific Northwest migrate, depending on the weather. During milder winters, birds may stay put and not migrate.

Then, the further south you go, the less likely the birds are to migrate. Red-tailed hawks are mostly year-round in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and beyond.

In Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, the red-tailed hawk does not migrate.

A perched red-tailed hawk about to take off

Where do red-tailed hawks migrate to?

Red-tailed hawks typically migrate less than 1,500 kilometers, bringing them from Canada and the northern United States to Central America and the West Indies.

Some birds reach as far south as Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Others settled almost anywhere in the interior states or along the Pacific or Atlantic coastlines.

How long does it take for red-tailed hawks to migrate?

Red-tailed hawk migrations are highly variable and can take anywhere from a week or two to over a month. However, most red-tailed hawks are not in a hurry when migrating.

Red-tailed hawk perched on a branch of a tree, Naples, Florida

Do red-tailed hawks fly non-stop?

There is little information on whether red-tailed hawks fly non-stop. However, they are likely to do most of the journey in one go.

Do red-tailed hawks migrate in flocks?

Red-tailed hawks sometimes form loose flocks during migration. Juveniles are most likely to form flocks and tend to congregate in staging areas and then leave together.

This is one of the few times when red-tailed hawks are sociable—they spend most of their time alone outside of the breeding season.

Red-tailed hawk perched on a tree, looking for prey

Do all red-tailed hawks migrate?

Only the northernmost third of red-tailed hawks migrate reliably. This includes most birds in Canada and northern Alaska. The further south you go, the less likely the birds are to migrate.

Where do red-tailed hawks go in winter?

Red-tailed hawks either stay at their breeding grounds or migrate during the winter.

Some migrate only short distances, while others fly over 1,500 km. While weather does affect red-tailed hawks’ migratory behavior, they primarily migrate in search of food.

Red-tailed hawk standing on the snow in winter

Where do red-tailed hawks go in summer?

Red-tailed hawks spend year-round in and around breeding grounds, or return from wintering grounds in the spring.

In summer, hawks may be in or near their breeding grounds. If the adults had chicks that year, the adults would care for their chicks in the summer, and the chicks become independent in late summer or early fall.

Where do red-tailed hawks go in the fall?

In the fall, red-tailed hawks either stay in their breeding grounds or fly south. Those who migrate usually leave in mid-September or October, with migration peaking in mid-October.

Close up portrait of red tailed hawk

Do red-tailed hawks return to the same place every year?

Many red-tailed hawks return to the same breeding grounds each year, often to the same nest. However, a mate may have several different nests scattered across their breeding grounds and choose the most viable option.

Do red-tailed hawks migrate at night?

Red-tailed hawks are diurnal raptors and likely migrate during the day. There is no evidence that they migrate at night.