A Guide to Idaho’s Birds of Prey

Take a closer look at the raptors of the Gem State

By Terry Rich

An Illustrated Guide to Idaho's Birds of Prey

Many of the birds of prey in Idaho can be easily located in the right habitat. A number of species are widely present in the state year-round, while others are migratory and can only be located seasonally. Regardless of the species you are searching for, knowing what differentiates these birds is important for budding birdwatchers. From notable red tails to black-and-white underwings, this illustrated guide will help you recognize the raptors that rule Idaho’s skies.

Fifteen species of birds of prey, including hawks, falcons and eagles, can commonly be found throughout the state. The high diversity of birds of prey is a result of the variety of habitats in Idaho, from the high desert plains of the southwest to the dense forests of the north. Here are 16 species of particular interest that you might spot in Idaho:

Peregrine Falcon

This is the most famous species in North America saved from the brink of extinction. This incredible success was engineered by The Peregrine Fund, which is based in Boise. Peregrine falcons hold the record for the fastest animal on Earth, with diving speeds recorded at more than 200 miles per hour. They are most apt to be found around wetlands and coasts where cliffs provide nesting sites, but they have also adopted tall buildings as suitable nest sites. Adult peregrines have a dark vertical bar on the face and lack the underwing pattern of the prairie falcon.

Golden Eagle

Few species generate as much excitement as the golden eagle. While the bald eagle can often be found near humans, the golden eagle prefers remote mountains, canyons and arid shrubland. They can be identified by their large size and golden feathers on the nape of the neck. At a distance, they appear different from hawks due to their long wings and tendency to cruise in straight lines. The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwest Idaho has one of the densest populations of nesting golden eagles of any region in North America.

Red-Tailed Hawk

If you see a large, bulky, slow-flying hawk around Idaho’s lower elevations, it’s most likely a red-tailed hawk. Like Swainson’s hawks, they nest in urban areas and perch in busy places to watch for prey on the ground. In most plumages, you can see a band of streaks across the belly that contrasts with the plumage above and below.

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

This little cousin of Cooper’s hawk also specializes in eating other birds. Sharp-shinned hawks can be hard to distinguish from their relatives, and the difference between the two species is a frequent subject of conversation among birders. “Sharpies” are much less common than “coops.”

American Kestrel

This falcon is the smallest in North America. It can frequently be found perching on utility lines, even along busy roads, where it watches the ground for mice and large insects. The striking pattern on its face is often detectable even without binoculars. Male American kestrels have blue wings, while females have rich brown wings. This means that—unlike most species of birds of prey—the sexes can be distinguished with ease. Kestrels nest in cavities that occur naturally in the landscape, like sections of hollow trees, and readily take to nest boxes.

Northern Harrier

The old name for this species was the marsh hawk, which nicely reflects its preference for hunting over marshes, wet meadows and pastures. Northern harriers fly low and slow over the land, using their hearing, as well as their sight, to locate various prey. In addition to their distinctive flight pattern, their white rump is an excellent field mark for birders. Females are brown, while males are a striking silver-gray.

Swainson’s Hawk

This raptor is only found in Idaho during the breeding season (April through September), where they are happy to nest in small groves of trees around ranches and in towns. Swainson’s hawks fly to Argentina for the winter, thereby being among the longest-distance migrants in the Gem State. Their black-and-white underwing pattern is usually sufficient to separate them from red-tailed hawks.

Rough-Legged Hawk

The gorgeous black-and-white rough-legged hawk breeds on the arctic tundra and only visits Idaho in the winter, when they can be found across the Snake River Plain. They perch with golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, common ravens and other species on power poles and fences. They don’t come into towns, so you’ll need to pack a lunch and hit the road to see them.

Bald Eagle

Adult bald eagles are among the most distinctive raptors on Earth. Their large size, combined with bright-white heads and tails, make them truly unmistakable. Bald eagles can take up to six years to reach full adult plumage. Younger birds are darker and lack the striking head and tail, so they are often confused with golden eagles. Bald eagles flock to large rivers and lakes where they seek their favorite food, fish. Bald eagles can be seen often on Lake Coeur d’Alene between November and February.

Prairie Falcon

The densest population of prairie falcons anywhere in the world is in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA in southwest Idaho. They nest on small ledges along the steep cliffs of the Snake River and other canyons in the region. This falcon specializes in ground squirrels, which live in the sagebrush country adjacent to their preferred canyon nest sites. These falcons have long, pointed wings and are powerful fliers. They can be distinguished from peregrine falcons by dark areas underneath where the wings meet the body.

Ferruginous Hawk

This is the state’s largest buteo—soaring hawks with broad wings. Unlike red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks are not found in urban environments but rather prefer more remote grassland and sagebrush country. They can often be identified in flight by large “windows” (light-colored patches) near the tips of the wings. This species is sensitive to human presence even in their preferred wild habitats. Partly because of this, these hawks have often been on lists of species of concern at the state and national level.

Merlin

This small falcon is widespread but a challenge to spot in the wild. Merlins breed in the forests of higher elevations but descend into the valleys in winter, where they pursue small birds as prey. Unlike their close relative, the American kestrel, merlins appear relatively dark and short-tailed. They fly rapidly in unswerving lines when changing perches or pursuing prey.

Cooper’s Hawk

Specializing in catching other birds, Cooper’s hawks have long tails and short wings that help them maneuver through branches in pursuit of prey. Cooper’s hawks have been successful in urban environments where they routinely spy on bird feeders. They are equally adept in natural forested environments where you can spot them on a perch surveying their surroundings or jetting between patches of trees on a mission to grab their next meal.

Osprey

If one species could be given an award for its tolerance of human beings, it is the osprey. The species readily nests on all sorts of human structures—light poles, billboards and bridges—as well as nest platforms built just for them. They are fish specialists, and as such, they require a river, coastline or lake nearby. They use a number of sites found along very busy highways, seemingly unfazed by the nonstop noise and human activity. Ospreys can be identified by their black and white plumage, large size and strongly angled wings.

Gyrfalcon

This is the largest falcon on Earth and has been a prize of falconers for millennia. Gyrfalcons are rare in Idaho and only appear in winter when their arctic breeding grounds become too inhospitable, even for these circumpolar specialists. They have pointed wings like those typical of falcons and a relatively long tail. In flight, if not diving after prey, they look like a giant swallow gracefully lilting over the land.

Where to Watch for
Birds of Prey in Idaho

Idaho is highly regarded for its millions of acres of public land where birders can endlessly explore the far reaches of mountains and high-desert sagebrush expanses. Birds of prey will be found perched, soaring and diving in these spacious landscapes. Along the way, stopping in towns, large or small, will reveal yet other species in urban habitats. Visitors can explore the Idaho Birding Trail across four regions to access a range of convenient scouting areas. While in Idaho, anywhere and during any season, you’ll want to keep a pair of binoculars nearby.

What’s Idaho’s State Bird?

Mountain Blue Bird

Idaho’s state bird is the mountain bluebird. Males are truly the color of the sky, while the females’ subtle combination of blue and gray is lovely as well. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, so they prefer homes with small entrance holes and take to nest boxes placed in the right locations. Watch for them in open sagebrush country with scattered junipers and in the lower edges of mountainous ecosystems.