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Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni ORDER: ACCIPITRIFORMES FAMILY: ACCIPITRIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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A common small hawk of the West, the Swainson's Hawk gathers in huge congregations to migrate more than 10,000 km to its wintering grounds in South America.

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Appearance

Hawks
Hawks
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized hawk.
  • Body stout.
  • Wings broad.
  • Rounded tail medium-long.
  • Dark flight feathers contrast with pale inner wing.
  • Dark chest band.
  • Tail light with multiple thin dark bands, one darker and broader near tail tip.
  • Face white.

Immature Description

Juvenile with similar underwing to adult. Underparts streaked with large spotting on breast.

Range Map Help

Swainson
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Swainson's Hawk

    Adult
    • © Isidor Jeklin/CLO
  • Adult light morph
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    Swainson's Hawk

    Adult light morph
    • © D. Robert Franz/CLO
  • Juvenile
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    Swainson's Hawk

    Juvenile
    • © B.K.Wheeler/VIREO

Similar Species

  • Broad-winged Hawk has similar underwing pattern, but the dark trailing edge is narrower (the tip of each feather is dark, not the entire feather), the tail bands are broader, and it lacks a dark chest.
  • White-tailed Hawk has narrower dark trailing edge to wing and lacks a dark chest.