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Broad-winged hawk

Buteo platypterus

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29.4922, -99.1296

Field Notes

Description:

This hawk is a bit smaller than a Red-tailed hawk. It has a hooked bill that is black at the end and yellow near the base. Eyes are brown. Yellow legs with black talons. It had a brown and buff/white breast with brown/grayish feathers on the back. Tail has a white band. Brown and dark brown head and crown.

Ref: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/5227-Buteo-platypterus/browse_photos

Habitat:

This hawk has been coming to my backyard daily. Recently some trees were removed from an adjacent yard and I think the hawk has easier access to the area. I have several bird feeders which I think is attracting the hawk. I can also hear this hawk daily especially in the morning.

Diet: Their diet includes small mammals, young birds, frogs, toads, and insects.

Notes:

The series of pictures above were taken on the same day. I am fairly certain it is the same bird. The color variance is due to some of the pictures being taken inside through a closed window, and some outside. Any help with i.d. would be greatly appreciated. Also, please see my previous spotting . I feel that the bird pictured in the previous post may be the offspring of this hawk.
Thank you again Robert and Saturniidae with help on the i.d..

FUN FACTS: 1. During migration Broad-winged hawks can form "kettles" which number in the thousands! 2. Scientists tracking their migration patterns discovered that they can travel up to 4,350 miles over the course of their migration. 3. 400,000 year old fossils have been discovered in several states within the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
Ref: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-winged_Hawk/overview

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

Thank you Robert and Saturniidaet! After further research, along with your input, I agree that these are Broad-winged hawks. I will update each post shortly. Thanks so much! This is my first spotting of this kind of hawk.Super excited! :)
Saturniidae: Thank you and I agree. Dawn: Great pics
I believe Robert was right. Your hawks are the Broad-winged hawk. They are very common in San Antonio. Here is one seen near you :-) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33111174

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