Buteos of Forested Habitats Flashcards
Learn to identify the members of the Buteo subgroup that are more often found in forested habitats, including Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, and Gray Hawk.
Where in North America are Red-shouldered Hawk most commonly found?
In the eastern parts of the United States and in a narrow swath along the West Coast.
Red-shouldered Hawk are common forest-dwelling hawk with a preference for open forests, riparian woodlands, flooded swamps, and, increasingly, suburban areas.
What is notable about the Red-Shouldered Hawk’s call that might help with its ID?
They are among the most vocal raptors in North America, issuing a loud, presistent “kee-aar” call.
What SEVEN physical traits should you look for in Red-shouldered Hawk?
- Rusty red plumage on body and wing linings.
- Fine red barring on breast and belly.
- Barred black-and-white tail and wing linings.
- Translucent windows where the barring in its wings line up, allowing more light to shine through.
- A red shoulder!
Red-shouldered Hawk become increasingly paler the futher east you travel, transitioning from richer orange in the west to washed-out pale in the extreme southeastern limit of its range.
What diagnostic dark marking do Red-tailed Hawks have that can help you swiftly determine their identity?
Dark patagial bar (leading edge to the wing) and belly band. The former is a diagnostic feature.
What diagnostic dark marking do Rough-legged Hawks have that can help you swiftly determine their identity?
Dark belly, tail tip, and underwing covert patches, also known as “carpal marks”.
What diagnostic dark marking do Ferruginous Hawks have that can help you swiftly determine their identity?
Dark C-shaped carpal marks and dark legs which contrast with the pale body, a unique feature.
Where and in what kind of habitats would you most expect to see Broad-winged Hawks?
Deciduous and mixed deciduous forests in eastern North America.
But with some western expansion of its breeding range into Canada. Broad-winged Hawks then winter from southern Mexico down throug central and South America.
Mixed deciduous forests are those that contain both deciduous (broadleaf) and coniferous (evergreen) trees.
Describe the shape characteristics of the Broad-winged Hawk
- Small, stocky buteo.
- Broad wings that taper to a slight point.
- Short to medium-length, rounded tail that’s just a bit longer than the wing tips when perched.
The shortish tail will help you tell Broad-winged Hawks apart from similar looking Cooper’s Hawks, which dwell in the same leafy woodland habitats.
When is it easiest to spot Broad-winged Hawks?
During migration when this species mobilizes in the hundreds and sometimes thousands.
Flocks of migrating Broad-winged Hawks are often mixed with Swainson’s Hawks.
The migration of these two species in large “kettles” is a unique to them and, therefore, a helpful identification clue.
Outside of migration, why might it be difficult to spot Broad-winged Hawk?
They live in dense woodland habitats.
This is where learning to recognize their short, high-pitched whistle can help lead you to them. (Go to the deck on “Raptor Calls” to practice!)
What colors and markings are characteristic of Broad-winged Hawks?
- Black-and-white tail banding.
- Pale wing linings and flight feathers.
- Distinctive dark fringe on the trailing edge of the wings.
- Lacks dark patagial bar (unlike Red-tailed Hawk).
- Dark face and chest with reddish barring on the flanks
What other buteo are you most likely to confuse a Broad-winged Hawk with?
Red-shouldered Hawk
Photo source: Wikipedia Commons
Red-shouldered Hawks dwell in the same forested habitats and have black-and-white banded tails, reddish barring on the body, and white wingbars and flight feathers. Because of this, they can often be confused.
How can you tell a Broad-winged Hawk apart from a Red-shouldered Hawk?
Try to list six differences
Red-shouldered Hawks have:
1. More rounded wings.
2. Fairly heavy barring on the flight feathers of the wing.
3. Richer, reddish coloration.
4. Narrower white tail bands.
5. A black-and-white. checkerboard on the back and wings (visible when perched).
6. Longer legs.
How do juvenile Broad-winged Hawks differ from adults?
They have streaked underparts and their tails are more finely barred, rather than noticably banded.
Photo by Rhododendrites
Note the dark fringe around the wings, streaky underparts, and pale barred tail. The wings are also quite broad relative to the size of the bird, and taper to a slight point.
Cooper’s Hawks have:
1. Pale eyes, not dark
2. A dark cap
3. Long tails, not short
4. Fine barring on the flight feathers.
Cooper’s Hawks are also bird-eating raptors that like forested habitats. And with their short, broad wings and distribution of white and reddish plumage, could possibly be confused with Broad-winged Hawks. The above-mentioned characteristics, however, will help you quickly eliminate them as possibilities.
Which morphs do Broad-winged Hawks come in?
Light and dark, although dark is much rarer and found in the western parts of the range.
