Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks
Buteo platypterus
The Broad-winged Hawk is a compact, crow-sized raptor known for its spectacular mass migrations. While often inconspicuous during the breeding season within dense forests, it becomes highly visible in the fall as thousands gather in swirling flocks called "kettles" for their journey south. This species is a long-distance migrant, traveling to Central and South America for the winter.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
Adults have a reddish-brown head, brown back and wings, and a barred rufous chest. The tail has broad black and white bands.
Juveniles are lighter brown with coarser streaking on the breast and a narrowly banded tail.
In flight, the underwings are pale or whitish with dark tips and a dark trailing edge.
A rare dark morph occurs, primarily in the western part of its range, appearing entirely sooty brown with a banded tail.
02 / A place in the world
During the breeding season, Broad-winged Hawks prefer dense deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, often near water and forest openings or edges. Migrating birds may be seen over any open country but typically roost in extensive groves of trees.
This hawk breeds across southern Canada and the eastern and central United States, from Alberta east to the Maritime provinces and south through the Gulf Coast to northern Florida. Resident populations also exist in parts of the Caribbean.
Broad-winged Hawks are complete, long-distance migrants, with most individuals leaving North America in the fall to winter in Central and South America. They migrate in large flocks, known as "kettles," utilizing thermals to conserve energy. A small number may overwinter in southern Florida.
03 / Listen a little closer
Their call is a distinctive, high-pitched, piercing whistle, often described as a two-parted sound, with a short first note and a longer second note. It can last 2 to 4 seconds.
04 / The life behind the feathers
An opportunistic predator, their diet is diverse. During the breeding season, they primarily consume small mammals, amphibians, and a variety of insects and crustaceans. Large insects become a significant food source during migration.
Broad-winged Hawks are perch hunters, spending considerable time sitting quietly under the forest canopy, scanning for prey. They catch prey on the forest floor, often near water or clearings. Adults tend to hunt more actively after mid-morning.
Nests are typically crude structures of sticks and sprigs, usually built in the crotch of a deciduous tree, often near the trunk and within 150 meters of water. The female does most of the building and incubation, laying 2-3 eggs. Nests are rarely reused in consecutive years.
During the breeding season, these hawks are secretive and solitary, often difficult to detect within the forest canopy. However, during fall migration, they become highly social, forming massive swirling flocks called "kettles" as they soar on thermals.
One more reason to pay attention
Broad-winged Hawks are one of five North American birds of prey considered complete migrants, with the continental population leaving their breeding grounds annually.
Satellite tracking has shown that migrating Broad-winged Hawks can travel an average of 4,350 miles to northern South America, flying approximately 69 miles per day.
The oldest known Broad-winged Hawk lived to be at least 18 years and 4 months old.
05 / An eye for the difference
Red-shouldered Hawks have reddish shoulders, narrower white tail bands, and more rounded wingtips. Their call is also different.
Red-tailed Hawks are generally larger with a reddish tail in adults and typically lack the broad black and white tail bands of the Broad-winged Hawk.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.