Gray Hawk locations in Arizona

Buteo Nitidus

Now, with all we've said about how much we love the other raptors of Arizona, the Gray Hawk is our ultimate favorite!  They possess an elegance and beauty and agility that is unmatched.  For the summer time, we spend a majority of our time trying to find these magnificent birds of prey. 

Our favorite spot to find Gray Hawks in southeastern Arizona is along Aravaipa creek.  It has several advantages: Many of the Gray Hawks are road-accessible [the picture on the left was taken from Aravaipa Canyon Road], there is a large concentration of them, there are many Black and Zone-Tailed Hawks there during the summer, and the Wilderness area itself is perhaps the most beautiful location in Arizona.   [Go to the Black Hawk Locations page for specific directions to Aravaipa Canyon]

Our second choice is anywhere along the upper San Pedro River, near Sierra Vista, Arizona.  We like to park at Escapule wash and simply walk north or South along the river bed [bring plenty of water!].  Gray hawks often soar overhead, as well as Swainson's Hawks and a stunning variety of Hummingbirds.

Other places we have found Gray Hawks include Arivaca Cienega in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Tucson, where they are rather regular but local.  Walk the boardwalk, and pay close attention to the Cottonwood tree.  This is one of the few locations in Arizona to find Black Vultures. Just check every group of cultures for the distinctive short-tailed, white wing-tipped vulture.

Muleshoe Ranch Preserve [northwest of Wilcox, and probably the second most regular location to find Gray Hawks, but pretty remote] and Gila Box Riparian Area near Safford also are both wonderful places to find Gray Hawks.  Remember that Gray Hawks only visit Arizona in the summer, and are never found away from riparian areas.

Website and all images copyright 1999-2004 Peter and Amanda Lewis.