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Broad-Winged Hawk, Cuba, 2012. Francesco Veronesi. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Broad-Winged Hawk, Marlboro, Vermont, 2007. Julie Waters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

broad-winged hawk

Buteo platypterus

Identification: 
This bird is large, but a bit smaller than our familiar Red-Tailed Hawk.  Several “morphs” and juvenile plumage make for considerable variation, but two key features separate the Broad-Winged Hawk from other local hawk species.  Its tail has very conspicuous white and dark bands, and is short relative to its body.  Its wings are broad in relation to its body and they taper at the tip.  

Behavior:
This is a forest bird and a predator high on the food chain.  It perches and swoops from a branch to snag small birds, mammals, amphibians, and even some insects.  The species nests in trees, generally conifers in Pennsylvania.  The Broad-Winged Hawk is famous for migrating in “kettles,” huge, soaring flocks traveling on thermals. The wintering grounds are mainly in Mexico and Central America.

What brings it to the SBG?
Food, cover.  By encouraging insect life the SBG also creates habitat for the insect-eating animals that are attractive to raptors.
 
When can I see it?
Primarily during migration.  Fall migration peaks in mid to late September, while spring migration peaks in mid April.