Broad-winged Hawk

Description

Broad-winged Hawk is a small, compact hawk. In flight, the wings are short and broad. The wing undersides are pale with a dark brown outline, a dark narrow band at the tip, and black “fingers”. The tail is broad, short, and square, with a wide white band and a wide dark subterminal band.

Size

Total length: 14″ to 19″

Wingspan: 32″ to 39″

Voice

On the breeding grounds, the call is a high-pitched, whistling, short note followed closely by a longer note, lasting 2 to 4 seconds: pee-teee. During migration they are silent.

Similar Species

Habitat

Breeding: Dense mixed and deciduous forests and woodlands

Migration: Edges of deciduous forests and woodlands, riparian forests and woodlands

Ecology

Migration

Mid-April to mid-May and mid-August to early October.

Broad-winged Hawks are seen every year in early fall migrating in large groups (kettles) past Hawk Ridge in Duluth.

Nesting

Food

Small mammals, amphibians, small birds, and large insects.

Unlike most hawks, which hunt in open areas, Broad-winged Hawk hunts in dense woods from a perch under the forest canopy. It is often seen perching on roadside telephone poles.

Distribution

Occurrence

Common migrant, uncommon breeder

Maps

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map