Carolina Raptor Center - Raptor Species: Sharp-shinned Hawk

Description: Compared to other North American buteos, the Swainson’s hawk appears slimmer, with a thinner body and narrower wings. In flight, dark flight-feathers contrast with paler wing-linings; their long wings are tapered, pointed, and in perched birds reach or barely exceed tip of tail. Pale morph birds show dark breast-band or bib between lighter belly and chin. At all ages, most likely to be confused with broad-winged hawk.

Flight: Strong, buoyant, and graceful direct flapping flight with moderately deep wing-beats when not transporting prey. Soaring flight with wingtips elevated above back in shallow dihedral. Will “kite” when foraging, especially in moderate to strong winds. Play: Two adults, presumably a breeding pair, will repeatedly drop and catch prey item in air.

Voice: Alarm call, given by both sexes either in flight or perched; described as a shrill, plaintive “kreeeee”

Habitat: Swainson’s hawks forage in open stands of grass-dominated vegetation, sparse shrublands, and open woodlands. They have adapted well to foraging in agricultural areas (wheat, alfalfa), but cannot forage in most crops that grow much higher than native grasses, making prey difficult to find. They are also attracted to flood irrigation, primarily in alfalfa fields when prey takes refuge on field margins, and burning fields that force prey to evacuate. At night, often perches in eucalyptus groves or windbreaks around farm sites.

Distribution: Breeding range is in western US and Canada as well as northern Mexico. Winter range located on pampas of Argentina, and also extends east into adjacent Uruguay. Nearly entire population migrates annually between breeding areas in North America and wintering grounds in pampas of South America, a round-trip that can exceed 20,000 km (12,500 miles). Swainson’s hawks are threatened in some states because of habitat loss - farmland and grasslands being converted to suburbs - and because of pesticide use reducing their main prey species.

Nesting: Typically nests in scattered trees in grassland, shrubland, or agricultural landscapes. Usually monogamous. Both members of a pair build or refurbish nest. Male brings most nesting materials and does most construction. Nests are constructed of various freshly broken sticks, twigs, and debris and sometimes baling wire, rope, and pieces of farm equipment. Lining consists of fresh leafy twigs from nest tree, grass or hay, weed stalks and bark. Typically lay 1-4 eggs (most commonly 2). Eggs hatch 34 - 35 days later. Female does nearly all incubation; male covers eggs only while female feeds away from nest for brief periods during day. Male provides female with food. Nestlings fledge on average at 43 days of age.

Food: During breeding season, they eat mainly vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. When not breeding, however, this hawk is atypical because it is almost exclusively insectivorous. On wintering grounds, eats grasshoppers, butterflies and moths, and leaf beetles. During breeding season, they are a soaring, open-country hunter. Often hunts from perches such as tree limbs, rocks, and elevated ground. Like other hawks, they follow farm equipment ranging from horse-drawn implements to tractors and pesticide applicators to prey on rodents disturbed by these activities. Catches flying insects in midair with talons and eats them in flight. Adults and fledglings regularly observed on ground in pursuit of insects. Run quickly and smoothly, with head slightly lowered and often with wings slightly extended and raised.