Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
The Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 22 countries, weighing about 746 g. The zone-tailed hawk is a medium-sized hawk of warm, dry parts of the Americas.
About the Zone-tailed Hawk
The zone-tailed hawk is a medium-sized hawk of warm, dry parts of the Americas. It is somewhat similar in plumage and flight style to a common scavenger, the turkey vulture, and may benefit from being able to blend into groups of vultures. It feeds on small terrestrial tetrapods of all kinds.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The zone-tailed hawk is a fairly large but slender Buteo hawk. Grown birds are 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in) in length with a wingspan of about 117–140 cm (46–55 in). The zone-tailed is comparable in length and wingspan to common large Buteos found to the north such as Swainson's and red-tailed hawk, but may weigh considerably less. Their body mass can range from 565–1,080 g (1.246–2.381 lb). In measurements, the sexes are close in size, but the female, at an average of 900 g (2.0 lb), is much heavier and bulkier than the male, at an average of 637 g (1.404 lb).
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada.
When to see it
The Zone-tailed Hawk can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Zone-tailed Hawk?
- The zone-tailed hawk is a fairly large but slender Buteo hawk. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Zone-tailed Hawk?
- The Zone-tailed Hawk is a large sized bird weighing about 746 g.
- Where can you see a Zone-tailed Hawk?
- The Zone-tailed Hawk occurs in 22 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras.
- What birds look similar to a Zone-tailed Hawk?
- The Zone-tailed Hawk is most easily confused with the Jackal Buzzard, the Long-legged Buzzard and the Short-tailed Hawk.
- Is the Zone-tailed Hawk endangered?
- The Zone-tailed Hawk is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Zone-tailed Hawk for real
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