Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusButeo (Buteos)
- SpeciesButeo platypterus (Broad-winged Hawk)
About the Broad-winged Hawk
The broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a medium-sized hawk of the genus Buteo. During the summer, some subspecies are distributed over eastern North America, as far west as British Columbia and Texas; they then migrate south to winter in the Neotropics from Mexico south to southern Brazil. Other subspecies are all-year residents on Caribbean islands. As in most raptors, females are slightly larger than males. Broad-winged hawks' wings are relatively short and broad with a tapered, somewhat pointed appearance. The two types of coloration are a dark morph with fewer white areas and a light morph that is more pale overall. Although the broad-winged hawk's overall population is increasing, populations are declining in some parts of its breeding range because of forest fragmentation.
The broad-winged hawk is a relatively small Buteo species, with a body size from 32 to 44 cm (13 to 17 in) in length and a weight 265 to 560 g (9.3 to 19.8 oz). The tail is relatively short, measuring 14.5–19.0 cm (5.7–7.5 in) in length. The tarsi measure from 5.6 to 6.6 cm (2.2 to 2.6 in). As in most raptors, females are slightly larger than males. Broad-winged hawks have relatively... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Chagres National Park
Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus
Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Gray-lined Hawk
Buteo nitidus
American Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Black Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
Double-toothed Kite
Harpagus bidentatus
White Hawk
Leucopternis albicollis
Solitary Eagle
Harpyhaliaetus solitarius
Roadside Hawk
Rupornis magnirostris
Plumbeous Kite
Ictinia plumbea
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Broad-winged Hawk in Chagres National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Broad-winged Hawk sighting in Chagres National Park, based on 298 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Broad-winged Hawk in Chagres National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Broad-winged Hawk in Chagres National Park in our monthly data.