Birds of Prey in Pennsylvania (21 Types + Photo Guides)

Birds of Prey in Pennsylvania are a diverse group of raptors that play a vital ecological role. Pennsylvania offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching and conservation efforts, with designated areas such as state parks and wildlife refuges providing habitat protection. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitats while contributing to their preservation.

Birds of Prey Species in Pennsylvania

Bird's Name	Size	Frequency in Pennsylvania	Best Place to Spot in Pennsylvania	Best Viewing Season
Bald Eagle	Large	Common	Near bodies of water	Winter
Red-tailed Hawk	Large	Very Common	Throughout Pennsylvania	All year
Cooper's Hawk	Medium	Common	Woodlands and semi-open lands	All year
Osprey	Large	Common	Near bodies of water	Spring - Fall
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Small	Common	Woodlands and semi-open lands	All year
American Kestrel	Small	Very Common	Open countryside	All year
Northern Harrier	Medium	Common	Wetlands, open fields	All year
Peregrine Falcon	Medium	Rare	Urban areas and cliffs	Spring - Fall
Great Horned Owl	Medium	Very Common	Woodlands	All year
Barred Owl	Medium	Common	Mature forests	All year
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Small	Rare	Dense, coniferous forests	Fall - Spring
Eastern Screech-Owl	Small	Very Common	Woodlands and suburbs	All year
Broad-winged Hawk	Medium	Common	Woodlands	Spring - Fall
Red-shouldered Hawk	Medium	Common	Wet, deciduous forests	All year
Northern Goshawk	Medium	Rare	Dense, coniferous forests	All year
Golden Eagle	Large	Rare	Ridge and valley regions	Fall - Spring
Short-eared Owl	Medium	Rare	Open fields and grasslands	Winter
Turkey Vulture	Large	Very Common	Throughout Pennsylvania	All year
Black Vulture	Large	Common	Southern Pennsylvania	All year
Rough-legged Hawk	Large	Rare	Open fields and grasslands	Winter
Merlin	Small	Rare	Open woodlands and fields	Spring - Fall

Birds of Prey In Pennsylvania Photo Guides

Where to Spot Pennsylvania’s Birds of Prey

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Located in eastern Pennsylvania, this is one of the best places in North America to observe migrating raptors. Birds of prey such as Broad-winged Hawks, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys can be observed here, especially during the autumn migration.

Presque Isle State Park: Situated on Lake Erie, this park is a critical stopover for migrating birds. Raptors such as Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and Cooper’s Hawks are commonly spotted, especially during migration seasons.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge: Located in Philadelphia, this urban oasis provides habitats for a variety of birds of prey including Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, and Northern Harriers. The refuge’s marshes and woodlands offer excellent bird watching opportunities.

Rothrock State Forest: Covering a large area of central Pennsylvania, this state forest is home to raptors such as Barred Owls, Northern Goshawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Its extensive woodland provides ideal nesting and hunting grounds for these birds.

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area: Located on the Lebanon-Lancaster county line, this area is known for its impressive birdlife, including several species of raptors. Birds of prey such as Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, and American Kestrels can often be spotted here.

Pennsylvania’s rich ecosystems are a haven for numerous birds of prey from the largest to medium sized birds. Experience the vibrancy reflected by New York’s Feathered Predators. Head south to Maryland, where the preying birds resonate with the state’s coastal and mountainous beauty. To the west, Ohio’s Winged Warriors echo the Buckeye State’s diverse habitats. Uncover more about these captivating creatures with our complete Guide to Raptors in the US.