Hawaiian Hawk Photo Gallery

Adult dark morph

A small, broad-winged hawk found only on the island of Hawaii. Occurs in both dark and light morphs. Dark morph has an all-dark body and dark wing linings.

Adult light morph

Adult light morph has whitish underparts with brown streaking across the breast. In flight note the barred tail. Often soars over forests and clearings.

Dark morph

A small hawk found in forests and open areas on the island of Hawaii. Occurs in both dark (seen here) and light morphs.

Adult dark morph

Hunts by standing still on a perch and then suddenly dropping down onto prey below.

Adult light morph

In both morphs, adult has yellow cere (the skin at base of bill) and yellow legs and feet.

Immature light morph

Head and underparts of immature light morph are white with a buffy tinge.

Habitat

The only resident hawk species in the Hawaiian Islands. Occurs in upper-elevation native forests, lowland non-native forests, and agricultural lands.