Photographed by Dennis Newsham
There’s something magnetic about hawks in New York City. They’re powerful, focused, and completely at home in the skies above Central Park or the gravestones of Green-Wood Cemetery. I’ve spent years watching Red-tailed and Cooper’s Hawks hunt, bathe, raise chicks, and rest in the middle of Manhattan—and each encounter still stops me in my tracks.
Photographing these raptors is more than documenting wildlife—it’s about capturing the wild resilience that lives right alongside us in the city. My hawk photography has taken me from NYC’s iconic green spaces to the desert landscapes of Palm Springs, California, where I’ve photographed Red-tailed Hawks soaring against wide-open skies and sunlit palms.
This Hawk Collection brings together Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and other birds of prey, all captured ethically in the wild—no baiting, no staging. Just real moments, photographed with patience and respect. Presented through museum-quality framed prints, puzzles, tea towels, magnets, and more, these pieces celebrate the beauty, strength, and grace of urban raptors in both wild and unexpected places.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of North America’s most iconic raptors—instantly recognizable by its broad wingspan, reddish tail, and piercing call (often used in movies to represent all raptors). Found year-round in New York, it soars over green spaces and nests on rooftops, ledges, even statues.
Young Red-tails don’t grow their signature red tail until their second year. Known for keen eyesight, they can spot prey from over 100 feet away. Dennis has photographed them throughout Central Park and Green-Wood Cemetery, capturing everything from still, meditative stares to dynamic flight.
Framed Prints
Discover urban wildlife with Dennis Newsham’s photos. Iconic prints blend nature and city life, from majestic birds to elusive mammals
Celebrate the strength and elegance of one of New York City’s most iconic birds with these stunning Red-tailed Hawk puzzles by wildlife photographer Dennis Newsham. Featuring original photography captured in the wild—including one dramatic portrait taken in Central Park and another in the historic Green-Wood Cemetery—each puzzle brings urban nature to life piece by piece.
Choose from a 504-piece (16″ x 20″) puzzle for a satisfying afternoon challenge, or a more immersive 1000-piece (20″ x 28″) version for seasoned puzzlers. Crafted with precision-cut pieces and printed in rich, vivid detail, these puzzles offer a rewarding and meditative experience for bird lovers, New Yorkers, and puzzle enthusiasts alike.
Discover our Tea Towels collection, featuring Dennis Newsham’s urban wildlife photography. Functional and collectible, each design adds elegance to your kitchen.
Red-tailed Hawks of Palm Springs
Even in the desert landscapes of Southern California, the Red-tailed Hawk reigns supreme. During a recent trip to Palm Springs, Dennis captured these raptors in striking new settings—soaring against golden skies, perched among palms, and silhouetted by desert mountains.
These images reveal the adaptability of the species, thriving in wildly different ecosystems across the country.
Framed Prints
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Discover urban wildlife with Dennis Newsham’s photos. Iconic prints blend nature and city life, from majestic birds to elusive mammals
A stealthy forest hunter, the Cooper’s Hawk is built for ambush—its long tail and rounded wings allow it to dart through trees with incredible agility. Though secretive, they’ve adapted to city parks and are often seen near backyard bird feeders, chasing smaller birds.
Dennis’s images show this raptor in rare golden light, highlighting its fierce elegance and sharp focus.
The Comeback of Urban Raptors
Raptors have made a major comeback in New York City thanks to conservation efforts, cleaner air, and improved green spaces.
The late Pale Male, the legendary Red-tailed Hawk of 5th Avenue, helped raise awareness for urban hawks and inspired generations of birders. His decades-long presence showed just how adaptable these birds could be—even nesting on high-rises across from Central Park.
Today, other species like the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Broad-winged Hawk, and Rough-legged Hawkcan also be seen during migration and winter months. Many Red-tailed Hawks hunt pigeons and rats—helping control urban populations and adding balance to the city’s ecosystem.
Where To See Hawks In New York City
Central Park – Ramble, Great Lawn, Sheep Meadow or around Belvedere Castle
Green-Wood Cemetery – Brooklyn’s best-kept birding secret
Riverside Park & Inwood Hill Park – Quiet, wooded spots with high trees and hunting perches
Surprising urban spots – Look up! Hawks nest on building ledges, statues, and even fire escapes across the city
Bring the Wild Home
Whether you’ve seen a Red-tailed Hawk sparing over Central Park or are just discovering the power of NYC’s raptors, my Hawk Collection offers a way to keep that wild beauty close.
From framed prints and puzzles to tea towels and textiles, each piece features a real, unstaged moment captured in the field-photographed with patience and respect for the birds than we realize.