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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CVIII
Field-journal plate: Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CVIII

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Accipitridae · Taxon 5227

Length34–44 cm (13.4–17.3 in)
Wingspan81–100 cm (31.9–39.4 in)
Weight265–560 g (9.3–19.8 oz)

Field marks

  1. Small, stocky build with a large head and short, square tail
  2. Reddish-brown head and upperparts; adults barred chestnut below
  3. Juveniles paler below with coarse brown vertical streaks
  4. Dark hooked bill with yellow cere, dark eyes, and yellow legs
  5. Adult tail marked by broad black-and-white bands
  6. Broad, slightly pointed wings with pale undersides and a dark trailing edge

HabitatLarge deciduous and mixed forests, especially forest interiors near openings or water; also forest edges, tropical forest, cloud forest, and dry scrub outside the breeding season.

BehaviorDiurnal perch-hunter that drops onto small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects. Usually solitary and territorial, but migrants soar on thermals in large flocks called kettles.

Palette

reddish brownchestnutcream whitecharcoal blackgolden yellow