Buteo platypterus

Description

This is a small, chunky hawk about the size of a crow. In regards to the tail banding, the white bands are nearly the size of the black bands. Wings are lined with white and the edges are black. The wing span of the broad-wing hawk is 32-39 inches.

Voice

A high pitched shrill. There is a two-parted downward pweeeeeee.

Breeding

Breeding season begins mid to late April.

Habitat

Broad-winged hawks are found in groves and woods.

Diet

Their diet consists of rodents and other small mammals and birds.

Range

Southern Canada down to Northern Florida and as far west as Eastern Texas and Minnesota. They are neotropical migrants, meaning they travel to South America for the winter.

Other Useful Information

Broad-winged hawks migrate in the fall in large groups called kettles. A study done in observing broad-winged hawks’ migrations showed that, on average, they travel 69 miles a day. They averaged 4,350 miles for their migration down to their wintering area.

Similar Species

Young broad-winged hawks resemble young red-shouldered hawks.