Hawks are medium size birds of prey. These birds are diurnal species. They kill their prey with their claws instead of using their beaks.
These birds are famous for their vocalizations, such as screaming, whistling, squealing, etc. The female hawk is larger than the male, and in some hawk species the females are twice as big as the males.
The hawks have unusual courtship rituals which happen in the air. These birds are monogamous in general, and they usually mate for life. They are territorial birds and they protect their nest which they tend to reuse for many years.
Their nests are usually built in high trees. They are big nests, ranging up to 1.2 meters. The pairs seldom abandon their nests, and that usually happens when the nest becomes too big and breaks.
Hawk pairs usually defend their nests against intruders, but there are species which choose to abandon the nest if humans appear. Some hawks even attack humans who approach close to their nests.
The females lay up to five eggs. In some species the females nest the eggs on their own and in other species the males help them in doing so. They incubate the eggs around 28 days.
There are species where the young hawks remain with their parents for quite some time and they even hunt together as a team.
Hawks spot their prey on the ground while circling in the air and observing the land for any movements. When they spot their prey, they dive upon it. They also prey on birds and hunt them while in the air.
According to scientific studies, hawks are considered one of the most intelligent birds.
These birds have excellent eyesight. They are able to see ultraviolet light as well. They are also able to detect the polarized light or magnetic fields. Their sharp vision enables them to be skilled and successful hunters.
These birds are migratory. They travel to warmer places on the earth, crossing enormous distances on the way. Some hawks cross more than 25.000 km per year. Their migrating season begins in August and finishes around mid-December.
Not all hawks cross similar migrating distances and some travel way more than others.
Those that cross long –distances start their journey much earlier than the hawks which have a shorter distance to cross on their migrating journeys. According to some studies, the first hawks that arrive at their migratory destinations are in advantage because they get to choose the living space, their mates, the area, etc.
It is important for the hawks to begin their migrating journeys in good health and with enough stored fat because that way they ensure their safe arrival on the destination. When migrating, hawks fly in flocks because that also ensures their survival. Hawks also carefully choose their migratory paths to ensure a safer journey.
Hawks are adaptable birds and can easily adapt to different surroundings. Nevertheless, they prefer open space habitats. They like places like fields and deserts, where it’s easier for them to spot their prey. Hawks live in mountains as well as in moist, tropical areas.
Hawks are fed by their parents until the moment they leave the nest. Young hawks usually leave their nests around six weeks old. Hawks prefer hunting before night falls. They are excellent flyers and glide gracefully through the air.
Hawks eat many different smaller animals, such as lizards, snakes, mice, squirrels, rabbits, fish, and birds, as well as any other suitable animal they spot.
What does a Hawk Symbolize?
The hawk is considered a messenger from the world of spirit. It symbolizes gracefulness, focus, vision, insight, spirituality, spiritual awareness, stealth, skills, ability, faithfulness, monogamy, parenting, teamwork, determination, leadership, psychic abilities, foresight, intuition, observation, details, the bigger picture, clear sightedness, experience, courage, protection, messages, opportunity, power, strength, truth, and wisdom.
The Hawk Meaning as a Spirit Animal
The hawk totem can have many different meanings. Here are some of them:
Leadership. Hawks are birds of prey. When they spot a potential prey, they don’t stop until they kill it. As totem animals, they teach us the gift of leadership and influencing others. With this animal as your totem, you are probably a born leader, with inborn skills to lead other people.
Observation and focus. Hawks have an excellent vision and power of observation and focus. The hawk as your spirit animal is teaching you of the importance of observing and paying attention to details. It is also teaching you that you need to maintain your focus on your goals. Only by being attentive and focused you can achieve your desired success.
You need to plan your actions carefully, and select a perfect time to begin taking them.
Visions and psychic abilities. Hawks are gifted with excellent sight. As totem animals they give us the gift of foresight and seeing into the future. You seem to know why some things are happening and you intuitively know what actions you need to take in which situation. You have strong psychic abilities and you are sometimes able to see into the future using that knowledge to help yourself and others.
You could have psychic visions and see clearly what the future brings.
Spiritual awareness. Hawks are symbols of spirituality and spiritual awareness. With this animal as your totem, you are a highly spiritually evolved being and you are on the path of spiritual evolvement further. You seek gaining spiritual knowledge and implementing it in your life and the lives of those around you for the benefit of all.
Monogamy and faithfulness. Hawks are usually monogamous birds that spend their entire lives with one partner. This totem animal is teaching you of the beauty of devoting your life to one person who loves and respects you in the same way. If this animal is your totem, you probably share this trait with the hawk.
You are a devoted and loyal partner who never forgets to demonstrate love and affection to your loved one, making sure they how much you care and love them.
Gracefulness. The hawk’s flight is pure gracefulness. It is a joy observing them fly in the air. This totem animal gives you this gift as well. You are probably a person with graceful movement evoking attention and admiration of the people around you.
Opportunity. Hawks circle in the air using their powerful sight to spot a potential prey. They actively seek opportunities to find their next meal. This totem animal is teaching you of the importance of looking for opportunities yourself and then taking action to seize them and make the most of them. You need to be alert and attentive and grab the opportunity as it appears because it might not repeat ever again.
Embrace the spirit of the hawk and be active about finding the right opportunity to fulfill your goals and dreams.
Messages from the spirit world. Hawks are considered messengers from the Divine and the spiritual realms. If this animal is your totem, you are most likely closely linked to these realities and actively receive messages from them, so you can incorporate them into your own life and the lives of others. You most likely receive intuitive insights about things, situations and people which are 100% accurate but sometimes it takes time to learn how to decipher them.
The hawk as your spirit animal is helping you to do that.
Hawk as Your Totem Animal
If the hawk is your spirit animal, you are most likely a person with an ability to see the broader picture of things.
With this totem animal you could have psychic gifts and a highly developed intuition.
You probably receive intuitive insights about the right actions and movements. You often have visions of the future but you are very cautious with whom you share these insights because some people could wrongly interpret your gifts.
You probably have a highly develop spirituality and you constantly work on improving your spirituality further.
You are most likely a very optimistic person and always think about the best possible outcomes. You tend to share your enthusiasm with others and enjoy inspiring hope in them regarding their future.
With this beautiful bird as your totem, you are also a faithful and loyal partner and your relationships tend to last. When you find the right person that is a relationship you tend to stay in your entire life.
You are also a person who appears very graceful and elegant. You probably have many admirers and you are respected in your circle of friends and acquaintances.
What if the Hawk Appears in Your Life?
When the hawk appears in your life, it could be a call for action. Maybe you have been postponing some important tasks for quite a while and the appearance of this bird is a reminder that you are done with procrastinating and now it’s time to take action.
This totem animal could represent a message from your spirit guides; you only need to decipher it. Seek for clues in your immediate surroundings and other related events to find the answers you need.
This animal is asking you to release the burden of past thoughts, hurts, worries and beliefs and leave them behind so you can move freely into the future.
You usually see the broader picture of things, and that makes you ahead of the rest, and helps you to make the correct choices and decisions in the perfect moment. You could be an object of envy because of that ability.
The hawk often appears in your life when it’s time to focus on achieving something. You need to decide on the needed actions and go after your dreams with determination and courage.
Nothing will happen if you simply sit and wait. The hawk is asking you to show initiative, search for new opportunities to accomplish your goals, be attentive and quick to seize them before someone else does.
This spirit animal could appear in your life as a reminder to appreciate your loved ones, especially your partner. Show your partner the love and attention he or she deserves.
If you have been neglecting your partner lately or you have had some cheating episodes, the hawk is there to remind you how wrong that is. If you don’t appreciate what you have, you will certainly lose it.
This bird could also appear in your life to remind you that there is more than just focusing on your goals and making them real. You need to find time to relax and focus on yourself and the little things that make this life beautiful. Find time to go into nature, to relax and enjoy its beauty and perfection.
Sometimes this bird appears in your life to prepare you for the leadership role you will need to undertake soon. The hawk totem is asking you to believe in yourself and your organizing abilities.
You have all that it takes to tell other people what they should do so you can achieve a common goal together as a team with you on the top.
When to call on Hawk?
You should call on hawk as your spirit animal when:
- You need to see the broader picture of thing;
- You need to rely on your intuition to make some important decisions and choices regarding important life matters;
- You need to learn how to rely on your intuition more and interpret your intuitive insights;
- You need to keep focus on some goal so you can achieve it;
- You need to develop your spirituality further;
- You need support in taking on a leadership role in some situation;
Dreams about Hawk – Interpretation and Meaning
Hawks are considered messengers and when dreaming about them they could indicate some messages you could soon receive from someone.
Maybe someone wants to send you a message and you subconsciously receive that information. Maybe they are messages from your spirit guides and spirit realms in general.
A dream about hawks is a reminder to look at things at a wider and a higher perspective. Take all details and facts into consideration.
A hawk is a symbol of leadership and this dream could be a sign that you have chosen the right path in life.
This dream could be a warning about false friends trying to do something behind your back to harm you.