Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[USA]] and [[South America]]. | [[USA]] and [[South America]]. | ||
− | + | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Prefers deciduous forests | Prefers deciduous forests | ||
+ | [[Image:Broad-winged_Hawk_inflight.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|jbissell|jbissell}}<br/>Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA]] | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Most often hunts from perches taking cold-blooded prey | Most often hunts from perches taking cold-blooded prey |
Revision as of 18:26, 12 December 2008
- Buteo platypterus
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.
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
Behaviour
Most often hunts from perches taking cold-blooded prey