Broad-winged Hawk

Physical Characteristics

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a compact, stocky raptor commonly found in North America, recognized for its broad wings and migratory behavior.

• Plumage: Adults have brown upperparts with lighter underparts marked by horizontal reddish-brown barring. Juveniles are lighter overall, with streaked breasts rather than barred patterns.

• Face: The head is relatively small with a dark crown, pale throat, and a hooked yellowish bill tipped in black. Eyes are dark brown, giving them a piercing expression.

• Body: Stocky and medium-sized, with a compact build suited for soaring flight during migration.

• Wings: True to their name, they have broad, rounded wings with a distinctive pale underside featuring dark edges. When gliding, their wings appear shorter and wider than many other hawks.

• Tail: Short and squared with thick black-and-white horizontal bands, a key field mark for identification in flight.

• Feet: Yellow with sharp, curved black talons, adapted for grasping small prey.

Size:

• Length: About 13 to 17 in (34 to 44 cm).

• Wingspan: Between 31 to 39 in (79 to 99 cm).

• Weight: Ranges from 9.3 to 19.8 oz (265 to 560 g), with females typically larger than males.

The Broad-winged Hawk’s stocky body, boldly banded tail, and wide wings make it easy to identify, especially during migration when large flocks, known as “kettles,” soar together across the skies.

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of the Broad-winged Hawk is tied to the spring and summer seasons across North America.

1. Mating and Courtship:

   • Broad-winged Hawks form monogamous pairs during the breeding season.

   • Courtship includes soaring displays, circling flights, and high-pitched whistling calls.

   • Pairs often return to the same nesting territory year after year.

2. Nesting:

   • Nests are built high in deciduous or mixed forests, often in the crotch of a tree 25–40 ft (7–12 m) above the ground.

   • Both the male and female construct the nest from sticks, lined with bark, leaves, and moss.

3. Egg Laying and Incubation:

   • The female lays 2 to 3 eggs, pale bluish-white with brown blotches.

   • Incubation lasts 28 to 31 days, primarily by the female, while the male provides food.

4. Chick Development:

   • Chicks hatch covered in white down and are brooded closely for the first week.

   • Both parents feed the chicks small prey items, tearing food into pieces until the young can feed themselves.

5. Fledging and Independence:

   • Young fledge at around 5 to 6 weeks of age, though they remain near the nest for another 2 to 3 weeks, continuing to rely on parents for food as they strengthen their flying and hunting skills.

Broad-winged Hawks’ strong pair bonds, careful nest-building, and extended parental care ensure that fledglings are well-prepared for independence before the autumn migration south.

Lifespan

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a migratory raptor whose lifespan is influenced by predation, migration hazards, and environmental conditions.

• Lifespan in the Wild:
  Broad-winged Hawks generally live 12 to 16 years, with the oldest recorded individual reaching about 18 years. Many juveniles do not survive their first year due to predation, starvation, or migration challenges.

• Lifespan in Captivity:
  In captivity, where they are protected from predators and receive regular food and medical care, they may live slightly longer, though they are not commonly kept outside of rehabilitation centers.

Threats to the Broad-winged Hawk:

• Predation: Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to raccoons, crows, and larger raptors such as Great Horned Owls. Adults may occasionally fall prey to larger hawks or eagles.

• Migration Hazards: Long-distance migrations expose them to storms, exhaustion, and human threats such as collisions with vehicles and structures.

• Habitat Loss: Logging and urban expansion reduce the forested areas needed for nesting and hunting.

• Human Disturbance: Disturbances near nesting sites may reduce breeding success.

Despite these threats, Broad-winged Hawks maintain healthy populations and are listed as a species of Least Concern, thanks to their wide distribution and adaptability.

Eating Habits

Broad-winged Hawks are opportunistic carnivores with a varied diet that shifts with the seasons and their migratory range.

• Diet:
  Their primary prey includes small mammals (mice, voles, and shrews), amphibians (especially frogs and toads), reptiles (such as snakes and lizards), small birds, and large insects.

• Hunting Strategy:
  Broad-wings are perch hunters, typically sitting quietly on a branch within dense forests and swooping down swiftly when prey is spotted.
  They rely on stealth and surprise rather than extended chases.

• Seasonal Diet Variation:
  In summer, when amphibians and insects are abundant, these make up a large portion of the diet. During migration and wintering in Central and South America, diet shifts more toward insects and small vertebrates available in tropical habitats.

• Feeding Young:
  Adults tear prey into small pieces and feed chicks directly in the nest until they are able to eat larger portions.

• Unique Habits:
  Unlike some hawks that prefer open hunting grounds, Broad-winged Hawks primarily hunt within forest interiors, making them less visible than open-country raptors.

Their diverse diet and ability to adapt to seasonal prey availability make the Broad-winged Hawk a resilient forest predator, well-suited to both temperate breeding grounds and tropical wintering areas.

Uniqueness

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a small but remarkable raptor, set apart by several unique traits:

• Spectacular Migration: Each autumn, Broad-winged Hawks form enormous flocks called “kettles”, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands, as they soar south to Central and South America. This is one of the most dramatic raptor migrations in the world.

• Forest Specialist: Unlike many hawks that prefer open fields, Broad-wings thrive in dense forests, hunting from perches and nesting under heavy canopy cover.

• Compact Build: Their short, broad wings and square tail make them highly maneuverable in wooded environments, a trait uncommon in larger, open-country hawks.

• Seasonal Diet Flexibility: They adapt their diet to seasonal availability—amphibians and insects dominate in summer, while tropical prey sustain them in winter.

• Secretive Nature: Outside of migration, they are inconspicuous and often overlooked, blending quietly into forest habitats.

• Indicator Species: Because they rely on intact forests for breeding, Broad-winged Hawks serve as important indicators of forest ecosystem health.

The Broad-winged Hawk’s spectacular migrations, adaptability, and reliance on forested ecosystems make it one of North America’s most fascinating and ecologically valuable raptors.