is there a bird called a seahawk

There is no officially recognized bird species named “seahawk,” but the word is commonly used as a nickname for a couple of real birds of prey.

So… is there a bird called a seahawk?

• In formal bird guides and scientific classification, there is no species whose official common name is “Seahawk.”

• The term “seahawk” is usually used informally for:
  • The osprey , a fish‑eating raptor often called a “fish hawk.”

* Sometimes for certain **skuas** or **sea eagles** , strong seabirds that live and hunt over the ocean.

A useful way to think of it: “seahawk” is like a nickname or mascot name, not a precise bird species name.

Why do people say “seahawk” then?

• Sports teams, especially the Seattle Seahawks , popularized the word as a dramatic, ocean‑themed raptor name.

• Wildlife writers and educators often explain that when people say “seahawk,” they almost always mean ospreys , because they hunt fish over water and nest near coasts and lakes.

• Some falconers and zoos use related species (like the augur hawk) as physical mascots, even though the team name is “Seahawks.”

In casual conversation: “seahawk” = mostly “osprey,” sometimes “other sea‑hunting hawks or eagles,” but never a single official species name.

Quick FAQ style recap

1. Is “seahawk” in bird field guides as a species name?
   • No. You’ll find ospreys, skuas, sea eagles, etc., but not a species formally listed as “seahawk.”

2. If I see a “seahawk” at the beach, what am I probably seeing?
   • Most likely an osprey if it’s a hawk‑like bird diving for fish near shore.

3. So is it wrong to say “seahawk”?
   • It’s fine in casual speech or for mascots, as long as you know it’s a loose nickname, not a scientific bird name.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.