Meet the Raptors of Michigan!

Michigan is home to some of nature’s coolest predators—raptors! Michigan hosts incredible birds of prey—hawks by day, owls by night—each playing a vital role in our ecosystems.

Daytime Flyers: Hawks in Action

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk – The Sky Screamer
One of Michigan’s most common hawks, the Red-tailed Hawk is a year-round resident. Look for it soaring over open fields or perched on power poles along highways. It has excellent vision—eight times sharper than ours. They’re also here year-round

Fun Fact: Its famous scream is often used in movies for all kinds of birds, even Bald Eagles!

Cooper’s Hawk – The Backyard Speedster
This small, fast hawk zips through trees like a fighter jet. Cooper’s Hawks love wooded areas and neighborhoods, where they chase smaller birds near feeders. They’re also here year-round.
Have you seen a hawk darting between trees? That might’ve been a Cooper’s!

Broad-winged Hawk – The World Traveler
Here only in summer, the Broad-winged Hawk prefers quiet forests. In fall, they gather by the thousands in swirling flocks called kettles to fly all the way to South America.
Watch the skies in September—you might see one of these in migration.

Nighttime Hunters: Owls on the Prowl

Great-horned Owl

Great Horned Owl – The Nighttime King
Powerful and fearless, the Great Horned Owl hunts rabbits, skunks, and even other owls. Found across Michigan (even in city parks), this owl has a deep, echoing hoot.
Its grip is so strong, it can crush prey instantly.

Barred Owl – The Wetland Whisperer
With big, dark eyes and a spooky call that sounds like “Who cooks for you?”, the Barred Owl lives in forests near water. It loves nesting in hollow trees.
Can you hear one calling on a quiet night?

Snowy Owl – The Arctic Visitor
Every winter, these white beauties fly south from the Arctic tundra. The Snowy Owl hunts during the day and may be spotted on snowy fields, shorelines, or even airport runways.
Keep your eyes out after a snowfall—they’re camouflaged and quiet.

Eastern Screech-Owl – Tiny but Mighty
Only about the size of a juice box, the Eastern Screech-Owl is a master of disguise. It hides in tree holes and blends in with the bark. Though small, it’s a mighty hunter.
They eat bugs, mice, and even little frogs!

Why Raptors Rock

Great-horned Owl

Raptors aren’t just fun to watch—they’re important to nature. They help keep animal populations balanced by eating pests like mice and insects. Their presence is also a sign of a healthy environment. Next time you’re outside, look up—you never know when a raptor might be watching from above.

Family Activity Idea:
Make a raptor journal! On your next walk, write down or draw any birds you see. Can you spot a hawk circling or hear an owl calling?

Get Closer to the Action
Want to meet hawks and owls up close?
Join us for Wild Wednesday at the KBS Bird Sanctuary— or https://www.kbs.msu.edu/events/event/wild-wednesdays-owls-and-hawks-1543/ a fun, hands-on event for the whole family. Meet real birds of prey, explore their habitats, and enjoy nature crafts and learning stations designed just for kids

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Rylee Lorenz serves as a naturalist at W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Grand Valley State University.