| Description |
Slender raptor, slightly smaller in size than a Red-tailed Hawk, with a slightly longer wingspan and slimmer wings than other soaring hawks; common color pattern is dark brown plumage with a brown chest and pale belly; in flight, holds wings in a shallow and teeters in flight like a Turkey Vulture; in-flight diagnostics are pointed wings and two toned effect of pale wing linings and dark flight feathers; adults have a pale body with dark â??bibâ?? on chest and noticeable white throat patch; there are two color variationsâ??a light morph and a dark morph |
| Sex |
Sexually mature at 2 years; monogamous |
| Age |
high mortality from traffic collisions, shooting, electrocution |
| Length |
17-22" |
| Wingspan |
4-4.5' |
| Weight |
1.5-2.5 lbs |
| Habitat |
open grasslands, prairies, farmlands and deserts that have some trees for nesting |
| Status |
fairly common |
| Range |
summers and breeds in the plains of western North America, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico; winter range is the pampas of Argentina, with a few wintering in Florida |
| Behavior |
nests are built of sticks and lined with greenery, usually placed low in a tree, bush or shrub; female lays 2-3 eggs, incubated 34-35 days; young fledge at about 6 weeks; known to congregate in large flocks during winter migration; will follow tractors or stay close to prairie fires in search of disturbed prey |
| Diet |
mainly large insects such as dragonflies, but will take rodents, reptiles, amphibians, bats and young or disabled birds during breeding season |
| Vocalization |
mostly silent; gives a shrill "kearrr" similar to a Red-tailed Hawk when alarmed or disturbed, or during an aggression display |
| Other Information |
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