Hawks are powerful birds of prey, or raptors, whose presence is often announced by a loud, piercing call echoing through the sky. These vocalizations are a sophisticated form of communication that serves several distinct behavioral purposes. Understanding why a hawk makes noise requires differentiating between the various sounds it produces and the specific context in which they are used. The sound is a deliberate, intentional signal directed at a mate, a rival, or a potential threat.
Identifying Common Hawk Vocalizations
The most widely recognized hawk sound is the classic, high-pitched scream of the Red-tailed Hawk, a common species across North America. This call is a hoarse, raspy sound that typically descends in pitch over two to three seconds, often transcribed as “kree-eee-ar” or “tsee-eeee-arr.” Hollywood frequently substitutes this iconic sound for the calls of other raptors.
Other hawk species produce different acoustic signatures. The Cooper’s Hawk, for example, utilizes a rapid, piercing series of notes transcribed as “kac-kac-kac.” These sounds are generally heard when the bird is soaring high overhead or is agitated. The acoustic properties of the call—its volume, pitch, and duration—provide precise information to other birds within earshot.
Communication for Territorial Defense
One of the primary reasons hawks broadcast their loud calls is to establish and defend their hunting and nesting territory against rivals. The piercing scream of a Red-tailed Hawk, delivered while circling high in the air, acts as an auditory declaration of ownership over a specific area. This loud display is a warning to other hawks that the territory is occupied and defended.
The intensity of the call often correlates directly with the perceived level of threat from an intruder. If a rival hawk or a large predator encroaches on the territory, the resident hawk will become significantly more vocal and aggressive. Red-tailed Hawks may fly directly at the intruder while screaming, using the combined visual and auditory display to drive the rival away. This vocal defense helps maintain the bird’s access to food resources and protects the immediate nest site.
Calls Related to Mating and Nesting
Hawk vocalizations are deeply connected to the reproductive cycle, serving to facilitate courtship, strengthen pair bonds, and communicate with offspring. During the breeding season, pairs engage in specific aerial displays accompanied by unique vocalizations that differ from aggressive territorial screams. The Red-tailed Hawk may use a shrill “chwirk” call during courtship flights to signal its intentions to a potential mate.
Once a pair is established and nesting begins, softer, less aggressive calls are used for communication between the adults. The male Cooper’s Hawk may use a single, distinct “kik” note when arriving at the nest with food for the female or young. The female may respond with a softer, drawn-out “whaaa” call to acknowledge the delivery of the meal. Juvenile hawks also produce persistent, high-pitched calls that signal their hunger and demand food from their parents.
Silence During the Hunt and Common Mimics
Despite their reputation for loud screams, hawks are generally silent when they are actively hunting. A successful hunt depends on the element of surprise, and any vocalization would alert prey animals to the raptor’s presence, causing them to flee. The hawk reserves its powerful voice for communication with other birds rather than broadcasting its location to a potential meal.
The loud, recognizable hawk scream is sometimes heard when no hawk is actually present, which is often due to vocal mimicry by other bird species. Jays, particularly the Blue Jay and Steller’s Jay, are known to imitate the calls of various raptors. These corvids use the imitated hawk scream as a deceptive tactic, often to scare other birds away from a bird feeder or a cached food source, allowing the jay to claim the resources for itself.