White-tailed Hawk Photo Gallery

Adult light morph

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.

Adult light morph

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.

A large, very broad-winged hawk that often hangs motionless in the air in search of prey below.

Adult dark morph

Adult

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.

Adult is clean white below and steely gray above, with brick-red in the “shoulders” (actually the upperwing coverts and scapulars). At rest, very long wings extend past the tail tip.

Immature light morph

Juvenile

When perched, note that the wings extend beyond the tail. Juvenile birds are dark above with a white breast patch.

In flight, note very long, very broad wings; white tail with black band near the tip; white belly; dark primaries; and white inner wing linings.

Juvenile

Juvenile

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.

Juvenile

Juveniles are dark overall with a white throat patch and dark belly. The tail is very faintly barred.

Adult light morph

Occurs in a variety of open habitats from southern Texas to central Argentina.

Habitat

Found in open country, primarily savanna, prairie, and dry areas with mesquite, cacti, and bushes; very rarely in open forest.