There are over 200 known hawk species roaming the skylines. These birds are well known in areas like the Americas and Canada. They are scientifically categorized as Accipitridae birds of prey.

You may not have seen hawk eggs but hawks certainly lay them. So, when do hawks lay eggs?

Hawks lay eggs after the mating season which begins in early spring between the months of March to May. The eggs will take around 28 to 32 days to hatch. Mother hawks will lay between one to five small greenish-white eggs per year.

When do hawks lay eggs?

Their mating season begins in early spring between the months of March to May, hawks take to the sky in the hopes of finding a mate.

Males swoop and swirl, circling at heights of over 1000 feet. They attract a mate by displaying their aerial abilities, feathers, and screeching.

During courtship, they lock bills in a kiss and lock talons. The male will then offer a proposal in the form of a meal to his mate. After acceptance from the female, they start to reproduce.

They will reproduce and lay eggs only a few times across their lifespan and only once per year. Reproducing and egg-laying happens during the mating season between the months of March and May.

Bird eggs are fertilized inside the female’s reproductive system. Several eggs are fertilized but not all are delivered at once or even on the same day.

The female lays one egg at a time at intervals. The process of holding eggs then laying eggs over a period of time is called “clutch”.

The female will stay in the nest as she does this and her mate will do the hunting and deliver the catch of the day.

How many eggs do they lay?

The eggs may vary in color, size, and quantity but hawks, in general, lay between one to five small greenish-white eggs per year. The laying is spread out over a couple of days (1 to 3 days) until the clutch is complete.

During this time the female does not leave the nest, so, the male must fend and forage for food to eat. Because hawks are a species that is able to adapt, it is speculated that they may lay in relation to the quantity, quality as well as availability of food.

We know that female hawks do not leave their nest while eggs are still in incubation, but sometimes they take a risk by leaving the nest to flex their wings and stretch their feet.

Leaving the nest leaves the eggs vulnerable to egg poachers such as the Great Horned Owl, crows, and raccoons to snatch an egg or hatchling. Because of this, leaving the nest is only ever done as a matter of urgency. Male hawks also frequently check in to make sure that home base is secure

How long does it take for eggs to hatch?

Variations occur across different types of hawks but, in general, their eggs hatch between 28 to 32 days of being laid. Mostly, they hatch in order of which egg was first.

Incubation is mainly the female hawk’s task. Her body is larger and thus offers more coverage than the male. Mother hawks usually never leave the nest until baby hawks are hatched. Both mother and father hawks share in the maintenance during this time.

Father hawks hunt, supply food and fend off invaders while mother hawks incubate and brood their young. It has been noted that the father hawk will offer much more of the hunt to the mother hawk than he takes for himself.

How long do baby hawks stay in the nest?

Newly hatched hawks are completely helpless without help. After almost 12 hours of breaking free from their eggs, they are weak but ready for life. For four weeks mother hawks feed their young with food delivered by the father.

After the 4 weeks, the babies start being trained to become fully-fledged flying and hunting hawks. It takes from 42 to 48 of living with the parents before they are truly ready to leave the nest.

What should I do with an abandoned baby hawk?

Hawks are carriers of various diseases and parent hawks are very aggressive about their children. You need to contact wildlife and protective services as soon as you find a baby hawk.

Feeding a baby hawk with thin chunks of bit-sized meat or fish from a skewer is recommended for baby hawks. Feed them in intervals

 Conclusion

Hawks lay between 1 to 5 greenish-white eggs over a period of days. These eggs hatch between 28 to 32 days.

Hatchlings are at first helpless but progress quickly and become fledged, they leave the nest in 42-48 weeks.

These animals are a protected species but they also carry disease, calling wildlife protection is recommended if you find an abandoned baby hawk.

If you’re reading this article you may also enjoy these other articles on hawks. Click the link to read the article. What are hawks afraid of, where do sparrow hawks nest, where do sparrow hawks live, what do baby hawks eat and where do hawks nest.