RaptorPhoto Bird of Prey photography: Common Black Hawk

Common Black Hawk locations in Arizona

Buteogallus anthracinus

Common Black Hawks are Arizona specialty birds, and are only here in the summer. They are some of the most beautiful raptors you can find outside of the tropics, but require a good deal of commitment to observe in southeastern Arizona. By far the best Black Hawk location we have found is Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area in the summer [contact the BLM Safford office for entry- there is a small entrance fee]. It's a good hike to the majority of the Black Hawks up the canyon, but a few can be spotted along Aravaipa creek on the road to the Wilderness area's western entrance.

The easiest access to Aravaipa is the west entrance. Travel north from Tucson on Oracle Rd. Take east 77 at Oracle junction and travel for about 40 miles [the road will start to parallel the San Pedro river after 20 miles or so. Drive slowly and watch for Gray Hawks all along this stretch] before you reach the road to Aravaipa [follow brown signs]. After several miles, the road will parallel Aravaipa creek. Here, do not speed on trying to reach the actual Wilderness area; drive this road slow and scan the skies and the cottonwood trees for Gray, Black, and Zone-Tailed Hawks.

The other entrance is the east entrance, designed only for serious explorers. Black Hawks, however, seem much easier to find on the east entrance. It requires driving about 90 miles north from Wilcox on dirt roads, and ends in basically a 4x4 track, requiring many stream crossings. However, it is worth it, because you will see natural beauty on this trip you never knew existed anywhere in Arizona!

When you get to the stream, put away your normal raptor goggles, and look low- Black Hawks commonly perch near or on the ground, waiting to spot amphibious prey. We once parked just off the road in Aravaipa east [the road became impassable to our Honda Civic], and only after we parked did we notice, through dense underbrush, a Black Hawk perched just above the ground on a low branch no more than 10 feet from us! We had entirely missed his presence because we were looking high in the trees!

Another beautiful location we have seen Black Hawks in is Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, northwest of Wilcox. Take airport road west from Wilcox, then join Muleshoe road for 20 miles of well-graded dirt road driving. This location is also extremely recommended for Gray Hawks- our very best experiences with them have come here.