From Squirrels to Songbirds: Salt Lake’s Hawks Are Redefining Urban Wildlife

If you see a pile of blood-soaked snow in your neighborhood this winter, don’t call 911 immediately. It’s probably not the aftermath of some grisly crime scene. Instead, it could be the work of your friendly neighborhood hawk.

The Big Picture: Hawks in the City

Hawks, once primarily associated with rural and wild areas, have been adapting remarkably well to urban environments over the past few decades. In fact, some species of hawks are doing so well in cities that they appear to be out-competing their rural counterparts. This might sound surprising to some, but the urban environment offers unique advantages, making cities like Salt Lake City an ideal spot for these fierce predators to thrive.

What We Have: Salt Lake City’s Hawks

In Salt Lake, the most commonly seen species during the annual Christmas bird counts are Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and sharp-shinned hawks. These hawks, with their impressive hunting skills and sharp vision, have become increasingly familiar sights to residents, especially during winter.

These urban hawks have become part of the city’s wildlife fabric. Residents who pay attention to their surroundings can often witness their wild kingdom-style hunting shows unfold in the most unexpected places. From birdbaths to apple trees, these hawks are performing aerial acrobatics in search of their next meal, all while navigating the complexities of living in a city.

Real Encounters: Hawk Sightings in Salt Lake City

The hawks in Salt Lake have become well-known to many residents, with some even documenting their encounters. Reader T.C. from Marmalade neighborhood shared that while the hawks tend to be elusive, the tawny tail feathers in his 2022 photo suggested the presence of a red-tailed hawk. This neighborhood, like many others, has its own hawk visitor every so often.

Donaree N. from Holladay mentioned her experiences with “Mr. Hawk” who makes appearances near her heated birdbath. “Every once in a while, we’ll see some feathers dropping from the pine tree. That tells us he’s found his lunch,” Donaree wrote. It’s a vivid reminder of the raw nature that can exist in urban areas, as hawks drop down for a snack without any hesitation.

Other Salt Lake residents, like Michelle M.K., have reported seeing a sharp-shinned hawk frequenting their bird feeding station, while Eric R. in Sugar House had a Cooper’s hawk visit his apple tree after noticing that the squirrels had mysteriously disappeared. It’s a classic sign of hawk presence: the local rodent population gets quieter once a raptor moves into the area.

Meanwhile, in the upper Avenues, a pair of Cooper’s hawks has been nesting for years. Jack B. reports that the pair has raised two to three chicks every season for the past seven years. The young hawks are carefully taught to fly and hunt by the adults, and sometimes they make their way to the front porches of local homes. “We have had youngsters perched on our front porch rail looking at their reflection in our window,” Jack recalls. While it’s a fascinating sight, it can also get a bit gruesome when the adults demonstrate prey dissection on the back lawn.

A Year-Round Presence: Hawks in Midvale and Sandy

For those in Midvale, Marta L. has been witnessing a pair of hawks in the box elder grove near her home since 2021. She’s had the privilege of watching their fledglings grow and learn to hunt. On one occasion, Marta even had to send an injured young hawk to a wildlife rescue. “It’s part of the circle of life,” she says, observing how these hawks play a key role in the local ecosystem.

Tom Jones, a local photographer, mentioned that he’s noticed an increasing number of Cooper’s hawks in the east end of Sandy’s Dimple Dell Park. He also shared a remarkable photo of a sharp-shinned hawk snacking in his backyard. His observations further confirm that these hawks are becoming a regular fixture in many parts of Salt Lake.

Hawk Watching: A Thrilling Experience

For those lucky enough to witness a hawk in action, the experience can be exhilarating. A few years ago, one resident recalled how he and his neighbor cheered on two hawks — an adult and a juvenile — as they dive-bombed smaller birds in the sky. Though the prey managed to escape, it was clear that the hawks weren’t leaving hungry. Instead, they turned their attention to hunting rodents, offering a unique reminder of nature’s raw beauty unfolding right in the heart of the city.

The Hawk’s Urban Advantage

So, what makes Salt Lake such an ideal location for these urban predators? It seems that cities offer a reliable food supply and the absence of many natural predators. Hawks are excellent hunters, and their ability to adapt to urban environments is a testament to their resilience. In Salt Lake, they’ve found a perfect balance of hunting opportunities, sheltered spaces to nest, and the absence of competition from larger predators.

While some may still find it strange to see such powerful hunters in the heart of a city, the presence of these hawks serves as a reminder of the wildlife that thrives, sometimes unnoticed, all around us. From the quiet corners of the suburbs to the expansive parks of Salt Lake, urban hawks have found their place.

As winter continues, keep your eyes peeled for these winged hunters. You might just find yourself witnessing the next thrilling hunting display, complete with a dramatic dive from the skies. In Salt Lake, hawks aren’t just visitors — they’ve become an essential part of the city’s ecosystem, a true urban superpredator.

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