Hawks are raptors known for their imposing presence and an unmistakable, often loud, vocal display. These predatory birds, members of the family Accipitridae, use their vocalizations for a variety of communicative functions. Their calls serve as a fundamental tool for establishing boundaries, attracting mates, and maintaining family structure. The distinct sounds produced by different species allow them to navigate their environment and communicate with other birds of prey.
The Signature Sound and its Purpose
The most widely recognized hawk vocalization is the piercing, high-pitched scream of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). This sound is a hoarse, raspy cry that descends in pitch over two to three seconds, often transcribed phonetically as a drawn-out “kee-eee-arr” or “tsee-eeee-arr.” The sound is powerful, capable of traveling long distances, and is most frequently heard when the bird is soaring high overhead. This iconic vocalization serves primarily as a broadcast of territorial dominance, warning other hawks that an area is claimed for hunting and nesting. During the breeding season, the scream also plays a role in courtship, signaling availability to a potential mate as the pair performs aerial displays.
Vocal Variations Across Common Species
Vocalizations vary significantly between different groups of raptors; not all hawks produce the same loud, drawn-out scream. Broad-winged Buteo hawks, like the Red-tailed Hawk, specialize in the piercing, descending cry. The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) offers a variation with its loud, repeated “kee-aah” call, which is a distinct territorial declaration. In contrast, the slender, forest-dwelling Accipiter hawks, such as the Cooper’s Hawk, produce a rapid, grating “cak-cak-cak” call used for alarm and defense near the nest. Smaller raptors, like the American Kestrel, use excited, high-frequency notes described as a rapid “klee-klee-klee” or “killy-killy-killy.”
Decoding Different Hawk Calls
Beyond territorial warnings, hawks employ a range of functional calls specific to various social contexts. Courtship calls are often softer than territorial screams; the Red-tailed Hawk may use a shrill “chwirk” call during aerial courtship displays. Alarm and distress calls tend to be sharper and faster than general announcements, reflecting a sense of urgency. The Cooper’s Hawk’s rapid “cak-cak-cak” is a clear alarm used to warn a mate and drive intruders away from the nesting area. Communication between adults and young is characterized by softer sounds; female Cooper’s Hawks use a longer “whaa” call when a male approaches with food, and nestlings use continuous begging calls to solicit food from their parents.
The Hollywood Sound Effect
The Red-tailed Hawk’s signature scream has been widely adopted by the entertainment industry to represent virtually any large bird of prey. This sound effect is commonly overlaid onto footage of Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and even generic predatory birds in film and television. The actual vocalizations of many large eagles are surprisingly soft, thin, and chirpy, which fails to convey the dramatic power expected by an audience. Sound designers prefer the Red-tailed Hawk’s loud, descending call because it immediately establishes a sense of wildness and majesty. The ubiquity of this sound in media has led many people to mistakenly believe it is the sound of an eagle, creating an intimidating atmosphere regardless of the species shown on screen.
Hawk vocalizations are far more varied than the single, iconic scream. They serve complex roles in communication, from territorial defense to courtship and family interactions, providing a deeper understanding of the raptors’ lives in the natural world.