Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Photo by NE Birds Plus (Phil Brown)
Location: Essex, Maine, USA

Identification

Length: 34-44 cm (13.5-17.5 in); wingspan: 81-100 cm (31.75-39.25 in); weight: 275-560 g. The second smallest buteo in North America, the Broad-winged Hawk is a small, stocky hawk with broad black and white tail bands. The photos show the more common light phase; a dark phase occurs but is rare.

Distribution

USA and South America. Southern Canada extending west almost to Britiish colombia.

Taxonomy

The nominate race (platypterus) is a well known buteo of the USA and southern Canada east of the Rockies. This subspecies is a migrant wintering south to northern half of South America. Five other non-migratory subspecies occur in the Caribbean: cubanensis, brunnescens, insulicola, rivierei, and antillarum, with populations on Cuba, Puerto Rico, and most islands in the Lesser Antilles reaching south to Grenada. It is increasingly a visitor to Hispaniola.

Habitat

Prefers deciduous forests

Photo by jbissell
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Behaviour

Most often hunts from perches taking various types of prey.

External Links

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