Broad-winged Hawk

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a small, stocky raptor of the eastern deciduous forests. While they spend their breeding season quietly tucked away in the deep canopy of continuous woodlands, they are world-famous among birdwatchers for their spectacular autumn migrations. During September, almost the entire breeding population departs North America for Central and South America, traveling along thermals in massive, swirling flocks called "kettles" that can number in the thousands. Unlike many other hawks, they are highly social during migration but remain solitary and highly territorial on their nesting grounds.

To identify a Broad-winged Hawk, it is helpful to look at its compact, chunky silhouette. Under optimal viewing conditions, both perched and in-flight characteristics are quite distinct.

Perched Adults

• Upperparts: Dark brown back and crown.
• Underparts: White breast heavily barred with rich reddish-brown (rufous).
• Head: Lacks the strong facial patterns of some raptors, showing a dark malar (mustache) stripe and white throat.
• Tail: Short and dark black with a single, bold, broad white band across the middle, accompanied by a narrower white band near the base.

In-Flight Adults

• Wing Shape: Relatively short, broad, pointed wings compared to larger Buteo species. The trailing edge of the wing curves distinctly inward toward the body.
• Underwing: Clean, silvery-white surface sharply outlined by a dark, blackish trailing border.
• Tail: Broad black-and-white bands are highly visible from below.

Juveniles

• Juveniles are more difficult to distinguish. They have brown-streaked vertical markings on the chest rather than horizontal barring, and their tails feature several narrow, dusky bands rather than the bold black-and-white bands of the adult.

Similar Species

• Red-shouldered Hawk: Larger, with longer wings containing transparent "crescents" near the tips, and much brighter orange breast barring.
• Coopers Hawk: An accipiter with a longer, rounded tail, shorter, rounded wings, and a different flap-flap-glide flight pattern.

Breeding Range and Habitat

During the breeding season, Broad-winged Hawks occupy large, continuous tracts of deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests across eastern North America, extending north into the boreal forests of Canada. They prefer areas near water sources, such as streams, swamps, or forest edges, which provide optimal hunting opportunities.

Migration and Wintering

Broad-winged Hawks are complete neotropical migrants. In autumn, they leave their breeding grounds entirely, moving south along mountain ridges and coastlines. Their wintering ground extends from southern Mexico through Central America and down into the northwestern portions of South America (primarily Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and parts of Brazil). During the winter, they inhabit humid tropical forests, foothills, and forest edges.

Vocalization

The voice of the Broad-winged Hawk is highly unique and surprisingly delicate for a raptor. Its primary call is a high-pitched, thin, piercing whistle: "peee-heeee" or "peee-ur". It lasts for roughly a second, dropping slightly at the end. It can easily be mistaken for the call of an Eastern Wood-Pewee or even a small passerine.

Diet and Hunting

Broad-winged Hawks are opportunistic perch-and-pounce hunters. They sit quietly on mid-canopy branches along forest edges or water bodies, scanning the ground. When prey is spotted, they dive down to seize it. Their diet is highly diverse and changes depending on local availability, featuring frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, small mammals (such as mice, voles, and shrews), large insects, and occasionally nestling birds.

Nesting and Reproduction

They are monogamous and build a relatively small, messy stick nest lined with bark, moss, and green leafy sprigs, typically placed in the main crotch of a mature deciduous tree (often oak, maple, or birch). The female lays 2 to 3 eggs, which she incubates for about 30 days while the male brings her food. Both parents actively defend the nest area, executing aggressive diving displays against intruders.