Northern California Birds of Prey

Hawks. Eagles. Falcons. Osprey. Owls. Oh my! There are an impressive array of birds of prey in Northern California. Whether you’re drawn to the iconic silhouette of a Bald Eagle against the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Shasta or the swift grace of a Peregrine Falcon diving through walls of Box Canyon, the abundant opportunities for observing and photographing Northern California’s raptors make the region an unparalleled destination for birdwatching and causal observers alike.

Popular Birds of Prey in Northern California

• Bald Eagle
• Golden Eagle
• Peregrine Falcons
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Northern Harrier
• Osprey
• Great Horned Owl
• Barn Owl
• Western Screech Owl
• Saw-whet Owl
• Northern Pygmy Owl
• Northern Spotted Owl

These are some of most popular birds of prey you’ll find in California’s northern region, spanning from the San Francisco Bay Are up through the coastlines of Humboldt County around the mountainous vistas of Siskiyou County and surrounding areas.

Eagles in Northern California

Bald Eagle

Once on the endangered species list, bald eagles are making a strong comeback, especially in Cali. While the national bird of the United States can be found in 41 of California’s 58 counties, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, about half all the state’s wintering bald eagles are in the Klamath Basin along the California-Oregon border, making this the largest winter concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.

The best times to see bald eagles are in the winter, between December and March, when large numbers of migratory and resident eagles congregate at favored feeding areas, typically near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. To help you spot one here’s a historical map of known bald eagle nesting territories in California.

Golden Eagle

The majestic Golden Eagle, with its golden-brown plumage and formidable presence, is hard to miss. While no one knows for sure how many of these massive raptors call the State home, impressively Northern California can boast to having the largest golden eagle population in the word, centered around the Bay Area. At 53 pairs per 1,00o kilometers, in particular Mount Diablo has the most breeding pairs then anywhere else. It’s also common to spot these predatory birds hunting around Butte Valley, further north.

If you’re an avid birder exploring the Golden State, feel free to submit to the California Natural Diversity Database any observations and location sightings of golden eagles.

Hawks in Northern California

In the diverse habitats of Northern California, birdwatchers have the opportunity to observe a variety of captivating hawks. Among them is the Northern Harrier, renowned for its low hunting flights over marshlands and agricultural fields, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, found commonly in forested areas stealthily preying on smaller birds through the canopy, and the elegant yet endangered Swainson’s Hawk, which can be easily spotted above open grasslands and agricultural fields in Northeastern California during their breeding season from February to April. Two of the most popular hawks in Northern California are the Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly spotted hawk in California, perhaps even of all the State’s raptors. Red-tailed Hawks are everywhere. They are a common sight soaring over open fields and wooded areas, and just as often spotted in urban and suburban environments, from atop light posts, buildings, or in tree-lined neighborhoods. Want to identify one? Keep an ear peeled out for the Red-tailed Hawk’s distinctive call.

Cooper’s Hawk

The Cooper’s Hawk is often found in suburban areas and woodland-rich residential neighborhoods, where they’ve grown fond of pigeons and doves. While trickier to spot than the Red-tailed Hawk, their natural habitat is the forest, so in many wooded areas around NorCal (of which there are many, such as the famed redwood forests) one might catch a glimpse of the sleek Cooper’s Hawk perched or darting through the trees in pursuit of prey.

Falcons in Northern California

The Peregrine Falcon is one of the fastest animals on the planet, and they have plenty of room to soar around the wild expanses of NorCal. They are some of the most widely distributed raptors, found in the wetlands, deserts, forests and islands. They’re even known to use tall buildings or bridges as breeding habitats. While the American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) can be spotted all over California, it’s mostly in the norther portion of the state you’ll find the subspecies Peale’s Falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei). Foregoing the American Peregrine’s 242 mile per hour power dive on other birds, Prairie Falcons swoop in low and fast like a jet on a high-speed firing run to catch ground squirrels. While falcons call California home year-round, many are migratory and the best chance for spotting one is from late-February to May during their breeding season.

Owls in Northern California

Who (get it?) doesn’t love an owl. The iconic Great Horned Owl, with its deep hooting call, can be found in wooded areas throughout the region. Keep an eye on the Great Horned Owl Sighting Map to see where they’ve been spotted last by you. The Barn Owl can be commonly spotted hunting near barns in Redwood National and State Parks. For a glimpse of something smaller, listen for the bouncing ball call of the Western Screech Owl in forests around Mount Shasta. Even more elusive are the Northern Pygmy Owl and Saw-whet Owl, tiny predators that reside in the redwoods.

Perhaps most notable, is the Northern Spotted Owl, a subspecies of spotted owl found almost exclusively norther of Marin County and to the west of the Pine River area in Shasta County. Listed as threatened under the California and Federal Endangered Species Act, they most commonly call coastal range forests their home but are facing declining numbers due to logging, wildfires, land development and the encroachment of the more aggressive Barred Owl.

Osprey in Northern California

Unlike owls that rule the night, Northern California’s skies are graced by the majestic osprey during the day. These “fish hawks” with their brown and white plumage can be spotted soaring above the many lakes and rivers of the region. Look for them year-round near the Shasta Cascade region, including Shasta Lake and Eagle Lake, or along the Klamath, Sacramento and Feather Rivers where they build impressive stick nests on trees and even power poles.. The osprey population thrives around these bodies of water, showcasing their spectacular dives as they hunt for their favorite meal — fish!

Birds of Prey in Siskiyou

In Siskiyou especially, you can just about walk out your front door and see all the different types of birds of prey native to Northern California – an exciting (and rare!) reality that proves just how wild Siskiyou still is. In fact, the eastern part of the county is one of America’s biggest migratory hotspots and home to no fewer than 15 different species of nesting birds of prey. And as mentioned above, Siskiyou also features the largest aggregation of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48, sometimes numbering as many as 700 birds.

Birdwatchers can find dozens of these majestic raptors during a single trip along the Tule Lake and Lower Klamath auto tours, with perhaps as many as 50 birds of prey seen from a single spot at any one time. Grab some binoculars! Below we’ll share of the best predatory birdwatching spots in Siskiyou.