Bird Guide

Broad-winged Hawk vs Swainson's Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Large454 gForest

The broad-winged hawk is a relatively small Buteo, with a body size from 32 to 44 cm (13 to 17 in) in length and weighing 265 to 560 g (9.3 to 19.8 oz). The tail is relatively short, measuring 14.5–19.0 cm (5.7–7.5 in) in length. The tarsus measures from 5.6 to 6.6 cm (2.2 to 2.6 in). As in most raptors, females are slightly larger than males. Broad-winged hawks have relatively short and broad wings, pointed at the end, which have a tapered appearance unique to the species. The wingspan can range from 74 to 100 cm (29 to 39 in), with the extended wing bone (standard measurement) measuring 22. Voice: These hawks use vocalizations for communication with their mates and offspring, and in territorial displays towards intruders such as red-tailed hawks or other threatening animals. Their call sounds like a very high-pitched kee-ee, almost like a whistle. Fledglings learn to emit the call by the time they are one month old.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Broad-winged Hawk
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Call · Bosque Amnesia del Poder (near Caracas), Sucre, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Large947 gGrassland

Swainson's hawk is a raptor and a medium-sized member of the genus Buteo. It broadly overlaps in size with the red-tailed hawk (B. jamaicensis), a related species found as a breeding resident almost throughout North America. Swainson's hawk is on average a little shorter in length, 43–56 cm (17–22 in) long, and weighs a bit less, 0.5–1.7 kg (1.1–3.7 lb). However, Swainson's hawk has a slightly longer wingspan at 117–137 cm (46–54 in), with more slender, elongated wings, than the red-tailed hawk. Female Swainson's hawks, at an average weight of 1.15 kg (2.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Swainson's Hawk
Recorded by Diana Doyle · Begging call, call · Hereford, Cochise County, Arizona, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jonathan Eisen · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Broad-winged Hawk and Swainson's Hawk.