As their name implied, hook hawks were winged raptors with conspicuously hooked beaks that, like their razor-sharp, shiny talons, were adapted for gouging eyes. Their eyes were dark and expressed intelligence, and pivotal to their hunting, their voice glands could produce gentle melodies pleasing to the point of hypnosis for prey.
Hook hawks hunted in packs, and their attacks were preceded by a harmonic melody sung like a symphony as they hovered around their prey, beating their wings in a gentle rhythm. The enchanting song could induce severe lethargy if the prey were exposed to it for an extended time. Once their prey was incapacitated, the hook hawks would dive on it with their sharp beaks and talons, aiming to gouge out its eyes and shred its throat.
As hook hawks were a potential danger to young Je'daii Journeyers, defense against them was a part of their lessons. It was taught that the splashing of water could smother their music.
When the teenage Lanoree Brock and her brother Dalien set out on their Great Journey, the hook hawks were the first danger that they encountered. Although Dalien was quickly caught in the hypnosis, Lanoree fended off the raptors with a Force punch.