In flight note short, white tail with dark band near the tip and broad wings that are pointed at the tips. Light morph birds have dark primaries, white inner wing linings, and a white belly.
Perched birds show a gray head, white belly, and dark wings with a chestnut patch on the shoulder. The wings extend beyond the tail when perched.
Often soars in wide lazy circles with its wings held in a V or dihedral. Adults are dark above with chestnut shoulders and its namesake white tail marked with a black terminal band.
When perched, note that the wings extend beyond the tail. Juvenile birds are dark above with a white breast patch.
Juvenile birds in flight have a white tail, a dark head, a white throat, and dark inner wing linings. Acquires adult plumage after 4 years.
Juveniles are dark overall with a white throat patch and dark belly. The tail is very faintly barred.
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A big, eagle-like hawk with very broad wings that narrow or pinch in slightly where they meet the body. The wings are also very long, and the wingtips extend past the tail tip at rest. The legs are fairly long.
Slightly larger than a Swainson’s Hawk, smaller than a Bald Eagle.
between crow and gooseAlthough there are three named subspecies of White-tailed Hawk, only one (hypospodius) occurs in the United States; it ranges south to northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Two other subspecies (colonus and albicaudatus) occur in South America.
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