Short-tailed Hawk
NameShort-tailed Hawk
Common NameShort-tailed Hawk
Scientific NameButeo brachyurus
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)93
Length (cm)40
Weight (g)455
Plumage DetailsThe individual in the image is a light morph, characterized by a dark brown head and upper breast that sharply contrasts with a white lower breast and belly. The underwings are predominantly white with dark primary tips and fine barring on the flight feathers, and it has a short, pale tail with a broad dark terminal band.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is typically a high-pitched, drawn-out whistle, often described as a 'kee-eeee' or 'klee-ee-ee', similar to other Buteo hawks but distinctively prolonged.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeIts range extends from the southwestern United States (primarily Florida and Arizona) through Mexico and Central America, and widely across South America.
Identifying Featuresshort tail, two distinct color morphs (light and dark), light morph: dark head/upper breast contrasting with white body, dark morph: entirely dark brown with barred flight feathers, buoyant, soaring flight, pointed wingtips in flight
Description
A small to medium-sized hawk, the Short-tailed Hawk is known for its buoyant, soaring flight while hunting. It exhibits two distinct color morphs, light and dark, which can be challenging to identify in the field.
