In this guide, we’ll answer the question:
“What does a hawk sound like?“
First, you’ll find a short summary explaining the sounds a hawk can produce, then you’ll get a list of audio samples to listen to real hawk sounds: both adult hawks and juvenile hawk calls.
Hawks are carnivorous birds of prey of the family Accipitridae within the class Aves in the order Accipitriformes. Hawks can live anywhere but are commonly found in North America, Central America, the West Indies, and Jamaica.
What Does a Hawk Sound Like?
A hawk sounds like a high-pitched screech that can sound like a hoarse, screaming kee-eeeee-arr, a rising whine followed by a series of two-parted notes, or a 3-note whistled call. The hawk’s sound varies depending on the species and age of the bird.
Hawk Sounds
Cooper’s Hawk Sound
Adult Cooper’s Hawk Call
Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk Call
Gray Hawk Sound
Adult Gray Hawk Call
Juvenile Gray Hawk Call
Red-Tailed Hawk Sound
Adult Red-Tailed Hawk Call
Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk Call
White-Tailed Hawk Sound
Adult White-Tailed Hawk
Juvenile White-Tailed Hawk
Why Do Hawks Keep Screeching?
Hawks keep screeching to announce their territory during mating season. Male hawks will keep screeching as part of the mating ritual until the bird attracts a partner.
Female hawks also screech during courtship; however, the most screeching occurs when protecting the nest during the fledgling season. A female hawk will screech to lure predators away from the nest so the juvenile birds can survive.
What Bird Can Sound Like a Hawk?
The Blue Jay and European Starling can sound like a hawk. These birds mimic the hawk sound to warn other birds of their species that a hawk is in the area and to scare away predators.
What Animal Sounds like a Hawk at Night?
The Northern Hawk Owl sounds like a hawk at night. This species of owl behaves like a hawk and sounds like a hawk, but looks like an owl.
Northern Hawk Owl Sound
Learn More About Hawks
Now that you know more about hawks and their sounds, you may also be interested in these other educational guides on these birds:
Hawk Sound Summary
You now know what does a hawk sound like.
As you discovered in this guide, a hawk sounds like a high-pitched screech that can sound like a hoarse, screaming kee-eeeee-arr, a rising whine followed by a series of two-parted notes, or a 3-note whistled call. However, the hawk’s sound will vary depending on the species and age of the bird.
I’m the lead editor and writer for Animal Answer Guide. I enjoy sharing expert knowledge on the various characteristics of common species within the five distinct groups of animals: amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.
