Hawaiian Hawk

Basic Description

The Hawaiian Hawk—often known by its Hawaiian name, Io—is the only resident hawk species in the Hawaiian Islands. Found only on the island of Hawaii, this small hawk inhabits native and non-native forests and agricultural areas, where it feeds on birds and introduced rats and mice. Hawaiian Hawk is commonly seen soaring over forests and open areas. Nevertheless, its tiny global range and small population size of just a few thousand individuals merits a conservation status of Near Threatened. Like many other Buteo species, Hawaiian Hawk occurs in both light and dark morphs.