Arkansas Birds of Prey

Birds of prey that can be most commonly found in Arkansas belong in the family of kites, eagles and hawks. These beautiful birds can be seen in the rural areas of Arkansas, as well as some of the cities (one Red-tailed Hawk has made the Bank of America building in downtown Little Rock his home.) They are majestic to watch in flight, and well worth looking for when bird watching in Arkansas. For some tips on finding and identifying birds of prey in Arkansas, see below.

Mississippi Kite. This small kite is easy to recognize when bird watching in Arkansas from its dark gray upperparts and pale gray underparts. It also has a pale gray head with startling red eyes. Look for it feeding on flying insects while gliding through the air. You can also identify the Mississippi Kite from its long black tail. These birds of prey are also known as Mosquito Hawks.

Bald Eagle. Very few people will fail to recognize this magnificent bird of prey, which is unmistakable from its dark brown body, white head and tail, and yellow feet and legs. The Bald Eagle loves to feed on fish, so look for it while bird watching near large rivers and lakes in Arkansas. You may even see it wading into the water to catch its prey, although these large birds are not above stealing prey from other birds as well.

Red-tailed Hawk. Look for this large hawk soaring on the wind while bird watching in the mountains and woodlands of Arkansas (or the Bank of America, as noted above.) Red-tailed Hawks can be found while bird watching almost anywhere - open country, farmland, forests, and even by the side of the road. Identify it while bird watching from its brown upperparts and head. Its underparts are very pale and streaked with brown, and its barred wings have dark tips. The tail for which this bird of prey is named is reddish brown with a dark band, and its legs and feet are yellow.

Red-shouldered Hawk. You'll find this large bird of prey in forests near the water in Arkansas, especially in bottomland hardwoods. It feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, and whill either drop on its prey from a perch in the trees, or sometimes even hunt from the ground near burrows. Identify it while bird watching from its striped, black and white tail and wings, as well as its barred reddish underparts. The Red-shouldered Hawk is often said to be the most vocal of all North American hawks, so listen for its high, piercing cry.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.birdsofarkansas.org

http://www.allaboutbirds.org