Broad-winged Hawk
ExploreBirds
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
The Broad-winged Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey with broad wings and a short tail. They are known for their beautiful soaring flight and can often be seen in the sky during migration.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Broad-winged Hawk is a small, stocky raptor with broad, pointed wings and a short tail. It has a brown back and a white underside with rusty-red barring. Its tail shows distinctive broad dark and white bands.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusButeo
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Broad-winged Hawks build cozy stick nests high up in forest trees.
Their migration groups, called kettles, can contain tens of thousands of birds!
They often hunt from a hidden perch, swooping down with amazing surprise!
This hawk has a unique, high-pitched whistle call, not a typical screech.
Special abilities
Ability
Thermal Rider
Broad-winged Hawks can soar effortlessly on rising air currents because this ability helps them conserve energy during long migrations.
Ability
Keen Vision
Broad-winged Hawks have super sharp eyesight that helps them spot tiny prey, like mice, from high in the trees.
Ability
Powerful Talons
Broad-winged Hawks have strong, sharp talons that help them grasp and hold onto slippery prey like snakes and frogs.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 34-44 cm
- Wingspan
- 81-100 cm
- Weight
- 0.265-0.56 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-16 years
- Top Speed
- 64 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-5
- Incubation
- 28-31 days
- Migration Distance
- 7000 km
Diet & Feeding
These agile hunters primarily eat small mammals, amphibians, and large insects from forest habitats.
Primary Foods
- Voles
- Mice
- Frogs
- Toads
- Snakes
- Large insects
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
A primary food source.
hunts
Wood Frog
Lithobates sylvaticus
Often catches these amphibians.
hunts
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Preys on these small reptiles.
shelters
White Oak
Quercus alba
Nests in tall deciduous trees.
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Owl sometimes preys on nestlings.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Broad-winged Hawk?
34-44 cm
What is Broad-winged Hawk's wingspan?
81-100 cm
How much does Broad-winged Hawk weigh?
0.265-0.56 kg
How long does Broad-winged Hawk live?
10-16 years
How fast can Broad-winged Hawk move?
64 km/h
What does Broad-winged Hawk eat?
These agile hunters primarily eat small mammals, amphibians, and large insects from forest habitats.
Where is Broad-winged Hawk usually found?
Forests
How does Broad-winged Hawk hunt?
Ambush
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