Broad-winged Hawk

A Migrant Hawk (or is it fair-weathered?)

The broad-winged hawk only spends time in Ohio during the warm weather months. It breeds in the eastern half of the United States and winters in Central and South America.

The Broad-winged Hawk

These hawks will migrate to the south during the fall and winter months. They often travel in flocks that can be a few birds or several hundred.

During this time is when they are most noticeable. Otherwise they are pretty secretive during nesting season when they are hidden in the undercover of trees.

Identification

This medium-sized, chunky hawk has broad wings and tail. The tail also has broad white banding. They have a rusty barred breast.

Males and females look the same although the female is larger.

Many of the traits of this hawk are similar to the red-shouldered hawk. They look much alike but the broad-winged is smaller. Also, the red-shouldered hawk has narrow bands on the tail (compared to broad-winged) and the breast is darker red.

An immature broad-winged is brown above and cream-colored below. They have a heavily streaked face, throat, sides and belly.

Where it Lives (Habitat)

Much like the red-shouldered hawk, the broad-winged likes a variety of different habitats. They will nest in hardwood forest or pine forest. There is usually water nearby and openings in the forest.

These birds will eat small animals, frogs, large insects, and other birds.

Nesting

In Northwest Ohio the broad-winged will begin building nests in May. This is much later than all other raptors in this area.

Eggs are laid in May to mid June. Most young will hatch in June and leave the nest by late July or early August.

The Nest

This hawk will usually build a new nest each year rather than using an existing one. They are sometimes built on top of old crow, hawk, or squirrel nests. Nests are normally in the lower third of the tree canopy.

Nests are almost always in the first main crotch of deciduous trees with within a main or vase-shaped crotch.

In pine trees they will usually build the nest up against the trunk of the tree where a group of branches meet (once again like the red-shouldered hawk).

Nests are lined with bark chips. Fresh sprigs are brought to the nest during construction and until the young ate a few weeks old.

Return from Broad-winged Hawk to Birds of Prey

Continue reading here: Take a Walk Back in Time Through Goll Woods

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