Swainson's Hawk - - (Buteo swainsoni)

Wildlife Note Card Photography by Steven Holt

Swainson's Hawks are such lovers of open country that they soar nearly the length of the Americas, migrating in large flocks from the great plains of North America to the Argentine pampas of South America every winter. Swainson's Hawks normally hunt from a perch, catching small rodents, lizards, frogs, and grasshoppers. Like the similar Red-tailed Hawk, the Swainson's Hawk is a broad winged hawk with a relatively short tail which is usually spread while soaring. Unlike the Red-tailed Hawk, the Swainson's Hawk has all dark flight feathers on the under surface of its wings, and its wings extend beyond the tip of its tail when it perches. Swainson's Hawks usually build their bulky nest of sticks in an isolated tree. The nests are obvious, but should be strictly avoided since the parents will commonly abandon the nest if they get scared off of the eggs. Because the nest is so exposed, up to twenty percent of young birds may die from exposure or injuries in severe wind, rain and hail storms.

Special thanks to Keith Iding for scanning the cards.