Hawks

Hawks are birds that hunt other animals for food. They have great eyesight and sharp claws called talons. Hawks can spot a small mouse from high in the sky. They live in forests, deserts, and fields.

Amazing Eyes

Hawks can see up to eight times better than humans. This helps them find food from far away. They circle in the sky looking for movement below. Then they dive down fast to grab their prey.

A colorful old drawing of a sharp-shinned hawk.
A colorful old drawing of a sharp-shinned hawk. (Louis Agassiz Fuertes / Wikimedia Commons)

What They Eat

Hawks eat mice, rabbits, snakes, and small birds. They use their talons to catch and hold their food. Then they use their sharp beak to tear it apart. Some hawks also eat insects and fish.

Fun Facts

  • A red-tailed hawk can spot a mouse from 100 feet in the air.
  • Baby hawks are called eyases.
  • Hawks can dive at speeds of over 150 miles per hour.

Did You Know?

Hawks have a special see-through eyelid that cleans their eyes while they fly.