Hawks come in a wide variety of colors, from dark brown to light grey and many shades in between. When it comes to identifying a grey-colored hawk species, there are a few likely options that stand out.
Light Morph Red-Tailed Hawk
One of the most common grey-colored hawks is the light morph red-tailed hawk. As their name suggests, these hawks are typically identified by their distinctive red tail feathers. However, light morph red-tailed hawks have more variation in their plumage color than others in their species.
Light morph red-tailed hawks have plumage that can range from almost white to a chocolate brown or light grey. Their tails may also show some light banding or mottling in white or grey, in addition to the red coloration.
In flight, light morph red-tailed hawks display broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Their undersides show a mix of light and dark banding on a white background. The light coloration helps them blend into open environments when hunting.
Identification Tips
- Grey and white mottled upperparts
- Red tail feathers, sometimes with light banding
- Dark patagial markings on underside of wings
- Light banding on a white belly
Grey Hawk
As the name implies, the grey hawk lives up to its moniker with predominantly grey and white plumage. Ranging through the southern United States into Central and South America, these hawks occupy more arid, open environments.
Adults have grey-brown upperparts and wings, with some light barring. The tail displays several narrow white and black bars contrasting with the main grey color. The throat is white, while the belly has fine grey bars on a white background.
In flight, grey hawks exhibit long, fairly broad wings and a long, slim tail. They are agile flyers that swiftly pursue prey through open country. Small birds, reptiles, and mammals make up their typical diet.
Identification Tips
- Grey upperparts with fine barring
- White throat
- Grey and white barred tail
- Long, narrow wings
Northern Harrier
The northern harrier, formerly known as the marsh hawk, lives up to its former name by occupying open wetland environments across North America. The adult males are distinctive with their pale grey plumage offset by black wingtips.
The males� upperparts and wing coverts are a soft dove grey with some mottling. The flight feathers on the wings are solid black, contrasting sharply with the pale body. The undersides are a paler white to grey color with some faint barring.
Females and juveniles, on the other hand, are a darker chocolate brown color above. But the plumage remains on the lighter end of the spectrum compared to many other hawk species. In flight, northern harriers display long, fairly broad wings held in a dihedral “V” shape.
Identification Tips
- Pale grey plumage in adult males
- Black wingtips in adult males
- Long, broad wings held in dihedral “V” shape
- Occupies open wetland habitats
Grey Morph Red-Shouldered Hawk
While most red-shouldered hawks show darker brown plumage, around 10% of the population exhibits a grey morph color variant. These grey morph red-shouldered hawks occupy forested areas, especially wetlands, across eastern North America.
Their plumage consists of a medium to dark slate grey upper body and wings, with finely barred undertail coverts. The wing linings may show reddish-orange patches when in flight. The tail displays narrow white bands contrasting with the main grey.
Compared to more common red-tailed hawks, grey morph red-shouldered hawks have a longer, narrower tail and wings. Their flight style also appears more labored due to slower wingbeats. Overall, their grey plumage allows them to blend into the shaded forest canopy.
Identification Tips
- Medium to dark grey upperparts
- White bands on a long, narrow tail
- Reddish patches under wings in flight
- Found in forested wetland habitats
Conclusion
In summary, several North American hawk species may display largely grey plumage. Light morph red-tailed hawks and grey hawks show a mix of grey, white, and barred patterns across their bodies. Meanwhile, northern harrier males and rare grey morph red-shouldered hawks exhibit predominantly grey upperparts. Getting a clear look at their tail and wing shape, habitat, and flight style can help distinguish these grey raptors.
So if you spot a mysterious grey-colored hawk soaring overhead or perched in a tree, check for key identification markers. With a bit of observation, you can puzzle out what species you are looking at from the possibilities of light red-tails, grey hawks, northern harriers, and grey red-shouldered hawks.
Getting to observe and identify these impressive raptors in their natural habitats is one of the joys of birdwatching. Their stunning grey plumage is perfectly adapted for their lifestyles in open and forested environments. So next time you spot one, take out your binoculars for a closer look at its distinguishing features so you can add another hawk sighting to your list!
Some key points to remember about identifying grey-colored hawks include:
- Light morph red-tailed hawks have mottled grey and white upperparts and distinctive red tails.
- Grey hawks are mostly uniform grey-brown above with finer barring and a barred grey and white tail.
- Northern harrier males are pale grey with black wingtips, found in open wetlands.
- Rare grey morph red-shouldered hawks are slate grey above with white-banded tails in forested wetlands.
- Observing the plumage pattern, habitat, flight style, wings, and tail shape can help distinguish them.
Keeping these identification tips in mind will help any birdwatcher confidently recognize and appreciate the grey hawk species they encounter. Happy hawk spotting!
Grey Hawk Species Profiles
Here are some quick profiles of the main grey-colored hawk species in North America:
Light Morph Red-Tailed Hawk
- Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
- Wingspan: 43-58 inches
- Length: 18-25 inches
- Recognition: Grey and white mottled upperparts, red tail, broad wings, short tail
- Habitat: Open country including desert, grassland, agricultural areas
Grey Hawk
- Scientific Name: Asturina nitida
- Wingspan: 40-46 inches
- Length: 17-22 inches
- Recognition: Grey upperparts with barring, white throat, grey and white barred tail, long wings
- Habitat: Arid open country, desert scrub, grasslands
Northern Harrier
- Scientific Name: Circus hudsonius
- Wingspan: 40-50 inches
- Length: 18-24 inches
- Recognition: Adult males pale grey with black wingtips, long wings, open wetland habitat
- Habitat: Marshes, grasslands, agricultural fields, open country
Grey Morph Red-Shouldered Hawk
- Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus
- Wingspan: 37-44 inches
- Length: 16-24 inches
- Recognition: Medium to dark grey upperparts, narrower wings and tail, white-banded tail
- Habitat: Forested wetlands and river bottoms
Comparative Table of Grey Hawk Species
Species | Wingspan | Length | Plumage | Recognition Points | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk | 43-58 in | 18-25 in | Grey and white mottled upperparts, red tail | Broad wings, short tail, red tail | Open country |
Grey Hawk | 40-46 in | 17-22 in | Grey upperparts with barring, white throat, barred grey and white tail | Long, narrow wings, barred tail | Arid open country |
Northern Harrier | 40-50 in | 18-24 in | Adult males pale grey with black wingtips | Long wings in dihedral “V” shape | Open wetlands |
Grey Morph Red-shouldered Hawk | 37-44 in | 16-24 in | Medium to dark grey upperparts, white-banded tail | Narrow wings and tail | Forested wetlands |
This table provides a helpful comparison of the key identification features, sizes, plumage, and habitats of the main grey-colored hawk species in North America. It can serve as a useful quick reference guide for identifying a grey hawk in the field.
Grey Hawk Identification Tips
Here are some useful tips for identifying grey-colored hawks:
- Carefully observe the shade and pattern of grey in the plumage – Light morph red-tails are mottled, grey hawks display fine barring, northern harrier males are pale grey, and grey red-shouldered hawks are a slate grey.
- Note the wingspan and shape of the wings – Longer, narrower wings indicate a grey hawk or northern harrier, broader wings signal a red-tailed hawk.
- Check out the length and patterning of the tail – Grey hawks have a long tail with distinct white barring, while red-tailed hawks have a shorter tail that can show some mottling.
- Watch how it flies – Northern harriers fly with wings in a “V” shape, red-tailed hawks have steady wing beats, and grey hawks are agile fliers.
- Consider the habitat – If you see a grey raptor in open wetlands, it’s likely a northern harrier, while forested wetlands would host a grey red-shouldered hawk.
Taking the time to observe key features like plumage colors, tail and wing shape, flight patterns, and habitat can help pin down the exact species of any grey-colored hawk you encounter. With practice, identification will become a rewarding and fascinating part of your birdwatching adventures.
Glossary of Terms
Here are some definitions of key terms related to identifying and observing hawks:
- Morph: A color variant within a bird species. For example, a “light morph” red-tailed hawk is paler in color than normal.
- Plumage: The layer of feathers covering a bird’s body.
- Coverts: Smaller feathers covering the base of larger feathers. For example, undertail coverts cover the base of the tail feathers from below.
- Patagials: The feathers along the leading edge of a bird’s wing.
- Dihedral: When the wings are held upright in a “V” shape during flight.
- Barring: Distinct stripes or bands of color across feathers.
- Mottling: Irregular spots and blotches of different colors on feathers.
- Raptor: Bird of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls.
Understanding the meaning of these common terms will help you describe and identify key aspects of hawk appearance and behavior while you are observing them.
Further Reading
Here are some excellent resources if you would like to learn more about identifying North American hawks:
- Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors by Pete Dunne and David Sibley – A classic birding book covering hawk identification.
- The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors by Richard Crossley – Features detailed photos and tips for identifying hawks and other raptors.
- Raptors of Mexico and Central America by William Clark and N. John Schmitt – Covers hawk species ranging into southern North America.
- Raptors of Western North America: The Wheeler Guides by Brian Wheeler – A photographic guide with insights on western hawk species.
- Peterson Field Guide to Hawks of North America by William Clark – A pocket guide with detailed illustrations and range maps.
Armed with the knowledge from these guides, some binoculars, and patience, you will be identifying those challenging grey hawks in no time.