Minnesota Seasons - Broad-winged Hawk

Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy


Conservation Status
IUCN Red List	LC - Least Concern
NatureServe	N5B - Secure Breeding SNRB - Unranked Breeding
Minnesota	not listed

Photo by Bill Reynolds

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

14″ to 19″ in length

32″ to 39″ wingspan

Voice

A high-pitched, whistling, very short note followed closely by a much longer note, lasting 2 to 4 seconds: ke-eeeee.

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


Taxonomy
Class	Aves (birds)
Order	Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles, kites, and allies)
Family	Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, and kites)
Subfamily	Buteoninae (buteonine hawks, kites, and allies)
Genus	Buteos (buteos)

Subordinate Taxa
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)

Synonyms


Visitor Photos

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Bill Reynolds
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.


MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos

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Slideshows

Broad-winged Hawk
Allen Chartier

Broad-winged Hawk
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Broad-winged Hawk
JMC Nature Photos

slideshow


Visitor Videos

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CertifiedWildlifeHabitat

Broad winged Hawk 01
Aug 7, 2025

About

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk, going to the bathroom. Minnetonka, MN, @1735ct 8/6/2025 Video by CertifiedWildlifeHabitat


Other Videos

Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus
Colombia Wildlife - Oswaldo Cortes

About

Uploaded on Feb 12, 2011

Broad-winged Hawk
rockykairn

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

Broad-winged Hawk Release
Eli Walker

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.

Broad-Winged Hawk Calling
CreaturesInTheWild

About

Uploaded on Jul 21, 2011

One of my locals hanging out in the backyard.

Broad-winged Hawk
caroltlw's channel

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.

Camcorder


Visitor Sightings

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