Missouri is home to a diverse array of birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and more. One of the most notable and iconic birds of prey in Missouri is the Grey Hawk. The Grey Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with distinctive grey plumage that gives it its name. In this article, we will explore key facts about the Grey Hawk, including its identification, habitat, diet, breeding, conservation status, and where to spot this majestic grey bird in Missouri.
The Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a medium-sized hawk that belongs to the Accipitridae family. It has a length of 14-18 inches, with a wingspan of approximately 40 inches. The adult Grey Hawk has predominantly grey upperparts, with some black barring on the flight feathers. The underparts are mostly white with fine grey barring. The tail also shows black barring. The eyes are bright red, and the cere and legs are yellow. Juvenile Grey Hawks have brown upperparts before they attain the distinctive grey plumage. The Grey Hawk can be identified by its medium size, broad wings, low flight style, and overall grey coloration.
Some key facts about the Grey Hawk:
Identification
– Scientific name: Buteo plagiatus
– Length: 14-18 inches
– Wingspan: Approx. 40 inches
– Distinctive gray plumage
– Red eyes
– Yellow cere and legs
– Juveniles have brown upperparts
Habitat
– Found in open woodlands
– Also occupies forest edges and clearings
– Often perches high on dead snags
– Nests high up in trees
– Ranges across southern U.S. and Mexico
Diet
– Feeds mainly on small mammals like squirrels and mice
– Also eats small birds, reptiles, amphibians
– May consume large insects like grasshoppers
– Hunts from high perches to ambush prey
– Catches prey on ground or foliage
Breeding
– Breeding season is February to July
– Monogamous pairs
– Bulky stick nests high up in trees
– Lays 2-3 eggs per clutch
– Incubation lasts about 5 weeks
– Young fledge at 6-7 weeks old
Conservation Status
– Listed as Least Concern by IUCN Red List
– Has wide distribution across Americas
– Population estimated at 500,000-5,000,000
– Habitat loss is a threat in some regions
Where to Spot Grey Hawks in Missouri
The Grey Hawk has a relatively small range in Missouri, concentrated in the southern and central regions of the state. Here are some of the top places to spot the majestic Grey Hawk in Missouri:
Hickory Canyons National Area
This National Park Service site protects one of the largest tracts of forest in southwest Missouri. The oak-hickory woodlands here provide ideal habitat for the Grey Hawk. Scan treetops along hiking trails for a chance to see this handsome raptor. Early morning and late afternoon are the best viewing times.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Missouri’s largest state park encompasses 17,441 acres around the scenic Lake of the Ozarks. Mature woodlands dot the landscape, where Grey Hawks may be seen hunting small mammals and birds. Hike the park’s trails while looking for the hawk perched on tree snags.
Cuivre River State Park
This state park north of St. Louis has over 6,000 acres of rugged, forested terrain. The mix of woods, glades, and bluffs is home to a variety of raptors like the Grey Hawk. Scan open areas adjacent to woodlands for possible sightings.
Hawn State Park
Centered on the St. Francis River, Hawn State Park in southeast Missouri provides excellent hawk habitat. Hike the park’s trails through hilly woodlands and watch for Grey Hawks soaring overhead or perched on lofty perches. Early morning is the optimal viewing time.
Big Oak Tree State Park
This state park near the Arkansas border features woodlands, streams, and rolling hills that attract the Grey Hawk. Walk the trails looping through oak-hickory forests while looking for these medium-sized raptors sitting on bare branches.
Physical Description
The Grey Hawk is a stocky, medium-sized raptor with broad wings and a short, rounded tail. Some key physical features include:
Size
– Length: 14-18 inches
– Wingspan: Approximately 40 inches
– Weight: 0.95–1.5 lbs
The Grey Hawk is larger and bulkier than the related Red-tailed Hawk. It has broader wings and a proportionally smaller tail.
Plumage
– Adults have predominantly grey upperparts with some black barring.
– Underparts are mostly white with fine grey barring.
– The tail has narrow black bars.
– Juveniles have brown upperparts before attaining the grey coloration.
– Eyes are bright red.
– Cere and legs are yellow.
The hawk’s namesake gray coloration provides excellent camouflage in its wooded habitats. The gray back blends in with tree trunks when perched.
Head
– Hooked yellow bill with black tip
– Large eyes are red in adults, brown in juveniles
– Rounded head without ear tufts
– Yellow cere (fleshy tissue at base of bill)
Wings & Tail
– Broad, rounded wings ideal for agile maneuvering
– Short, fanned tail with narrow black bars
– Wingspan averages 40 inches across
Legs & Feet
– Strong yellow legs and feet
– Feet have long talons for grabbing prey
– Soles of feet have small bumps called spicules to grip surfaces
The hawk’s large feet and curved talons enable it to firmly grasp prey and perches. Its short legs are feathered down to the toes.
Habitat and Range
The Grey Hawk occupies a variety of wooded habitats across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America.
Habitat
The Grey Hawk is most often found in the following habitats:
– Open oak, pine, and mixed woodlands
– Forest edges and clearings
– River bottom forests
– Parks and residential areas with large trees
It prefers areas with a mix of dense woods and open spaces for hunting. Access to tall trees for nesting and roosting is critical.
Range
Breeding | Southern Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky |
Wintering | Ranges south to Panama |
Year-round | Mexico, Central America, northern South America |
In Missouri, the Grey Hawk is found in the southern and central regions, with scattered sightings as far north as the Iowa border. Its range overlaps with the more common Red-tailed Hawk.
Territory
Grey Hawk pairs occupy breeding territories ranging from 45 to 215 acres in size. They defend the territory from intrusion and reuse successful nesting sites in subsequent years.
Diet and Hunting
The Grey Hawk is an opportunistic hunter that feeds on a variety of small prey. Its typical diet includes:
Mammals
– Tree squirrels
– Chipmunks
– Voles
– Mice
– Rats
– Bats
– Rabbits
Squirrels and other rodents make up much of the hawk’s diet. It often plucks arboreal rodents directly from tree branches.
Birds
– Sparrows
– Starlings
– Doves
– Woodpeckers
– Owls
– Young corvids
The Grey Hawk is an accomplished bird hunter. It flies swiftly through forest openings to grab unsuspecting songbirds.
Reptiles & Amphibians
– Lizards
– Snakes
– Frogs
– Toads
Reptiles like lizards and snakes are readily taken. The hawk also eats amphibians such as tree frogs.
Insects
– Grasshoppers
– Cicadas
– Beetles
– Caterpillars
Large insects like grasshoppers supplement the hawk’s diet, especially during warm months.
Hunting Behavior
– Perch hunts by scanning for prey from an elevated perch
– Flies quickly through forest gaps to ambush prey
– Catches mammals on the ground and birds in flight
– Plucks arboreal rodents from branches
– Eats prey on the spot or carries it to a perch
The Grey Hawk is well-adapted for hunting agile prey in its wooded environment. It stealthily watches for prey from a high perch before swooping in for the kill.
Breeding and Reproduction
The breeding season for Grey Hawks extends from February through July. They build large stick nests high in forest trees and fiercely defend their nesting sites.
Courtship
– Aerial displays and calling strengthen pair bonds
– Courting includes soaring together and mutual preening
– Pairs reuse successful nest sites for many years
– Both sexes help construct nests
Nesting
– Bulky stick nests lined with moss and leaves
– Nest placement is 30-70 ft high in large trees
– Preferred nest trees include oaks, pines, cypress, elms
– Old hawk, eagle, or crow nests are also used
Nest building starts 2-3 months before egg laying. Old nests are refurbished with fresh sticks each year.
Eggs
– Clutch size is 2-3 eggs
– Eggs are greenish-white with brown splotches
– Egg laying peaks in March/April
– The female incubates while the male provides food
– Incubation lasts about 5 weeks
Only the female Grey Hawk incubates eggs. She sits very tight on the nest and is reluctant to flush while brooding.
Young
– Hatchlings are covered in white down
– Fed by both parents for 6-7 weeks til fledging
– Fledglings first fly at about 45 days old
– Parents continue feeding young post-fledging
The Grey Hawk has relatively slow breeding with just one brood per year. Fledglings depend on the parents for several months as they hone their flying and hunting skills.
Conservation Status
The Grey Hawk has a sufficiently large population and range that it is not considered threatened. However, habitat loss in parts of its range is an ongoing concern.
IUCN Red List Status
– Least Concern
– Population estimated at 500,000-5,000,000 adults
– Wide distribution across the Americas
Threats
– Habitat loss from logging and development
– Vehicle strikes when hunting near roads
– Secondary poisoning from pesticides & rodenticides
– Nest disturbance from human activities
Population Trends
– Populations appear relatively stable across much of range
– Declines noted in some areas like California due to habitat loss
– Not well-studied across huge range
More research is needed to accurately track Grey Hawk populations across their range. Targeted conservation measures may be needed in regions with significant habitat degradation.
Conservation Actions
– Protection of woodland habitats
– Public education about raptors
– Nest monitoring programs
– Restrictions on toxic chemicals
Continued preservation of undisturbed forest habitats will benefit the Grey Hawk population. Protections on large stick nests also help maintain suitable breeding sites.
Where to See Grey Hawks in Missouri
While Grey Hawks occupy a relatively restricted range in Missouri, there are several locations that offer the best chance to see these magnificent raptors:
Hickory Canyons Natural Area – El Dorado Springs
This 5,000 acre natural area in southwest Missouri protects some of the largest tracts of oak-hickory forest in the state. Scattered clearing and edges provide good habitat. Try the Oak Ridge Trail loop for possible sightings.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Osage Beach
Missouri’s largest state park has 17,441 acres dotted with mature oak-pine woods around the lake shoreline. Scan treetops along the park’s many hiking trails.
Cuivre River State Park – Troy
The 6,128 acre Cuivre River SP north of St. Louis offers rugged, wooded terrain. Hike the trails early morning when the hawk is most active.
Hawn State Park – Farmington
Centered along the St. Francis River, this state park’s mix of woods, streams, and glades provides prime habitat. Try the Scenic Rivers Trail for possible hawk sightings.
Big Oak Tree State Park – East Prairie
Near Missouri’s southeast corner, this smaller park still offers quality woodlands and bluffs where Grey Hawks may hunt and perch.
Patience and persistence are needed, but you stand a good chance of glimpsing Missouri’s most graceful grey raptor at these locations. Go prepared with binoculars and field guides!
Fun Facts About the Grey Hawk
Beyond the key facts, here are some fascinating tidbits about the charismatic Grey Hawk:
– Has a maximum lifespan of up to 25 years in the wild.
– Weighs only about as much as 3-4 pigeons.
– Its broad wings allow superb maneuverability when flying through dense woods.
– Prefers to perch high and inconspicuously when hunting.
– Uses whistling “klee-uk klee-uk” calls to communicate with mates.
– Both parents fiercely defend nests by diving at intruders.
– Young hawks mimic parents’ alarm calls – albeit with much poorer execution!
– Rarely soars high in the air like larger hawks and eagles.
– Has double rows of eyelashes thought to protect its eyes when hunting in brush.
– Individual hawks can be identified by their unique plumage patterns.
– Was known as the “grey chicken hawk” by early American pioneers.
The Grey Hawk is a remarkable woodland hunter perfectly adapted to its forest environment. Seeing one perched or in graceful flight is a special treat for any bird enthusiast.