Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5B - Secure Breeding SNRB - Unranked Breeding |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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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. |
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Size |
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14″ to 19″ in length 32″ to 39″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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A high-pitched, whistling, very short note followed closely by a much longer note, lasting 2 to 4 seconds: ke-eeeee. |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Breeding: Dense mixed and deciduous forests and woodlands Migration: Edges of deciduous forests and woodlands, riparian forests and woodlands |
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Ecology |
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Migration |
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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. |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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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. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Common migrant, uncommon breeder |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles, kites, and allies) | ||
Family |
Accipitridae (eagles, hawks, and kites) | ||
Subfamily |
Accipitrinae | ||
Genus |
Buteo (buteos) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Antigua Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus insulicola) Antillean Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus antillarum) Cuban Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus cubanensis) Dominican Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus rivierei) Northern Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus platypterus) Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) |
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this bird. |
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Bill Reynolds |
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| This Broad-wing was being patient with me as I struggled to get my camera ready. It was only about 20 feet away watching me with some curiosity. |  |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Broad-winged Hawk Allen Chartier |
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| Broad-winged Hawk Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
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| Broad-winged Hawk JMC Nature Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link. |
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Other Videos |
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| Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus Colombia Wildlife - Oswaldo Cortes |
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About
Uploaded on Feb 12, 2011 |
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| Broad-winged Hawk rockykairn |
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About
Uploaded on Aug 9, 2008 Young Broad-winged Hawk digi-scoped at Crane Lake, MN at the southern entrance to Voyageurs National Park www.visitcranelake.com |
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| Broad-winged Hawk Release Eli Walker |
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About
Published on Sep 16, 2012 Dr. Brent Bibles (professor at Unity College) releasing a rehabilitated broad-winged hawk (rehabilitated at Avian Haven) at Unity College on 16 September 2012, with the assistance of Unity student Michelle Wood. |
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| Broad-Winged Hawk Calling CreaturesInTheWild |
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About
Uploaded on Jul 21, 2011 One of my locals hanging out in the backyard. |
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| Broad-winged Hawk caroltlw's channel |
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About
Published on May 14, 2012 Hanging out looking for a meal among the squirrels and birds. The wrens and cardinals are chirping their alarm calls in the background. A bit grainy because of low light. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this bird. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Bill Reynolds 5/9/2018 |
Location: Pennington Co Minnesota This Broad-wing was being patient with me as I struggled to get my camera ready. It was only about 20 feet away watching me with some curiosity. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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