Young hawks go through several distinct phases in their first year of life. Their appearance changes dramatically during this time as they grow feathers and develop the coloring of adults. Let’s take a look at what young hawks look like at each stage of development.
Hawk eggs
Hawk eggs are generally white or bluish-white in color with brownish markings. The eggs are incubated by the female hawk for 28-35 days before hatching. Hawk eggs vary in size depending on the species, but they are generally around 2-3 inches long. The eggs have a rounded oval shape and hard, porous shells.
Newly hatched hawks (0-2 weeks old)
When hawk chicks first hatch out of their eggs, they are covered in white downy feathers. Their eyes are closed and they are quite vulnerable at this stage, relying completely on their parents for food and protection. Hawk chicks hatch asynchronously, meaning they don’t all hatch at the same time. The younger chicks in the nest will be smaller and less developed than their older siblings.
Growing hawks (2-6 weeks old)
Over the next few weeks after hatching, hawk chicks grow very quickly. Their eyes open after about a week and they become more alert and active in the nest. Their flight and tail feathers begin growing in, pushing out the soft baby down. Their feet also grow larger in preparation for learning to walk and grasp prey. By 3-4 weeks old, hawk chicks have most of their juvenile feathers, though their tails will still be quite short.
Fledgling hawks (6-10 weeks old)
Around 6-8 weeks after hatching, hawk chicks will take their first flight from the nest, known as fledging. At this stage, they are called fledglings. Their flight feathers and tails will be close to full adult size, giving them the ability to fly short distances. However, fledgling hawks still have some downy feathers, especially on the head, and they lack the bright adult coloring. Their eyes are pale and their beaks have a yellowish tint. Fledglings remain dependent on their parents for food as they learn to hunt.
Juvenile hawks
After 10-12 weeks, young hawks are mostly fully feathered and are considered juveniles. They will have left the nest and follow their parents on hunting trips, scavenging food from their kills. Juvenile hawks have mostly adult plumage, but their colors are muted. The feathers often have scalloped or barring patterns. Their eyes and beaks gradually take on the mature coloring over their first year.
How to identify young hawks
Here are some tips for identifying young hawks at different stages:
- Downy hatchlings – Fluffy white down, closed eyes, oversized feet.
- Nestlings – Mix of down and juvenile feathers, eyes open, active in nest.
- Fledglings – Nearly full wings and tail, downy head, pale eyes.
- Juveniles – Adult-like plumage but paler, scalloped patterns.
Young hawks also behave differently from mature birds. They have weaker, fluttering flight. They beg for food with loud screeches. And they lack the hunting skills of adults, instead relying on their parents for food.
Growth rate of young hawks
Hawks grow extremely rapidly in their first few weeks after hatching. For example, a young red-tailed hawk will increase its weight by around 20 times in the first 14-28 days. Here are some average growth rates for common hawk species:
Species | Hatch Weight | Adult Weight | Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 2.5 oz | 2.4 lbs | 20x in 4 weeks |
Cooper’s hawk | 1.3 oz | 1 lb | 15x in 3 weeks |
Sharp-shinned hawk | 0.8 oz | 0.75 lb | 18x in 3 weeks |
This incredibly fast growth allows young hawks to leave the nest and start hunting at around 6-8 weeks of age. They reach full adult size by around 5-6 months old.
Why do young hawks look different?
There are a few key reasons why hawk chicks look so different from mature birds when they first hatch:
- Camouflage – The white down blend in with the nest materials to protect vulnerable chicks.
- Insulation – Fluffy down keeps chicks warm since they can’t regulate their temperature.
- Immature feathers – Hawks molt multiple times before adult plumage grows in.
- Soft tissue – Beaks, eyes, and feet take time to ossify and take on color.
The differences help signify to adult hawks that their offspring need care and protection. As they grow, the juvenile plumage helps young hawks blend in until they learn to hunt efficiently.
How to help a young hawk in trouble
Young hawks sometimes run into trouble before they are able to fully fend for themselves. Here are tips if you find a distressed young hawk:
- Give space – Avoid approaching or scaring uninjured birds.
- Protect from danger – Divert from roads, cats, etc. without touching.
- Don’t feed – This can cause further harm if done incorrectly.
- Call for help – Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the hawk seems ill or injured.
- Monitor nests – Keep nest sites free from disturbance and predators.
With quick professional help for injured birds, and monitoring of nests, young hawks will have the best chance to survive and thrive in their first year of life.
Key facts about young hawks
- Hawk eggs incubate for 28-35 days before hatching.
- Chicks are covered in white down at hatching.
- Their eyes open after around 1 week.
- Flight feathers start growing at 2-3 weeks.
- Hawks fledge from the nest at 6-8 weeks old.
- They reach full adult size by 5-6 months old.
- Juvenile plumage is paler than adults.
- Growth rate is extremely rapid in the first few weeks.
Conclusion
Young hawks go through a series of dramatic growth stages in their first year, starting with fluffy white down as helpless hatchlings. Over a period of just weeks, they rapidly grow flight feathers, leaving the nest by 6-8 weeks while still sporting juvenile plumage. After fledging, they learn to hunt from their parents and gradually molt into adult coloring. Understanding the phases of hawk development helps bird enthusiasts identify young birds in the field and provides insights into hawk biology.