Swainson's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

The Swainson's Hawk is a large, striking bird of prey found across North and South America. It is known for its impressive migratory patterns, traveling thousands of miles between its breeding grounds in North America and its wintering habitats in South America.

CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Range

The Swainson's hawk is primarily found across North America, except during the winter they are commonly found in southern South America, especially in Argentina.

Fast Facts

  • Description

    The Swaison's hawk is a medium to large raptor sporting a light to dark brown body with a contrasting pale underbelly. It has a characteristic dark "bib" or "necklace" around its chest, which is darker in some individuals. It has long, pointed wings and a dark tail with a light band near the end.

  • Diet

    Swainson's Hawks are primarily hunters of small mammals, insects, and occasionally reptiles.

  • Size

    Swainson's hawks typically have a body length ranging from 18 to 24 inches and a wingspan of 45 to 54 inches with an average weight of

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 8-10 years

    Human care: 20-30 years

One of the most remarkable traits of the Swainson's Hawk is its long-distance migration. It breeds in North America, particularly in the Great Plains and parts of Canada, and migrates to South America for the winter, traveling up to 6,000 miles.

Fun Fact

Our Wildlife Ambassadors

Ember

Ember was found lying on the ground in Maryland, which is far away from her native range in the Western United States. Because of this, it is suspected that she was blown off her migration path during a storm. She was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation facility where it was determined that her wing injury was too severe to ever heal properly. Ember was deemed non-releaseable and found a permenant home at Raptor Hallow Sanctuary where she mesmerizes people with her impressive size and striking appearance.

Ember has been at the sanctuary since 2023