White-tailed hawks are a medium-sized hawk found in the Americas. Their range stretches from southern Texas in the United States through Mexico and Central America south to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America.
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about white-tailed hawks:
- Scientific name: Buteo albicaudatus
- Other common names: Mexican hawk, Chilean hawk, pigua, etc.
- Length: 16-22 inches
- Wingspan: around 4 feet
- Mass: 1.1-2.2 lbs
- Lifespan: up to 12 years in the wild
Range and Distribution
White-tailed hawks can be found in the following areas:
United States
In the United States, white-tailed hawks range along the southern border with Mexico. They are found in southern Texas, sometimes straying into southern New Mexico and Arizona. Their range in the U.S. is limited compared to farther south.
Mexico
White-tailed hawks are found throughout most of Mexico. They occur along both the Pacific and Gulf Coasts, as well as through interior regions. Some of the states they inhabit include:
- Baja California
- Sonora
- Sinaloa
- Nuevo León
- Tamaulipas
- San Luis Potosí
- Veracruz
- Oaxaca
- Chiapas
Central America
Throughout Central America from Guatemala to Panama, white-tailed hawks can be found year-round or as seasonal migrants. They occur in both coastal and interior regions and can be found in countries like:
- Guatemala
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
South America
In South America, white-tailed hawks breed in tropical and temperate zones from Colombia and Venezuela south to Chile and Argentina. Some details on their range include:
- Colombia – found in the northwest and central regions
- Venezuela – found throughout the northern and central regions
- Ecuador – occurs along the coast and Andean highlands
- Peru – found along the arid coastal desert and Andean slopes
- Bolivia – scattered throughout in appropriate habitat
- Paraguay and southern Brazil – found in interior regions
- Chile and Argentina – occur throughout except for the far southern tips
Habitat
White-tailed hawks occupy diverse habitats across their large range in the Americas. They are usually found in open or semi-open regions and avoid dense forest. Typical habitats include:
- Grasslands
- Savannas
- Scrublands
- Agricultural areas
- Ranchlands
- Marshes and wetlands
- Coastal landscapes
- Arid regions
- Mountain slopes up to 12,000 ft elevation
Throughout their range, white-tailed hawks seek out habitats with ample prey availability, perches for hunting, and materials for nesting. Some key features they prefer include scattered trees, poles, fences, and other perching sites.
Population and Conservation Status
White-tailed hawks have an extremely large range across the Americas. Overall population sizes are uncertain but they are described as common to locally abundant in many regions. Populations are considered stable and the hawks are evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
United States
White-tailed hawks are not common and limited in the U.S. Some estimates indicate there may be fewer than 100 breeding pairs in Texas. But since their range extends much farther south, the U.S. population is not considered a conservation concern.
Mexico
There are no good estimates for the population of white-tailed hawks in Mexico. But they are described as being fairly common in many areas. The hawks face threats from habitat loss and degradation, but no major declines have been noted.
Central and South America
Populations appear secure and numbers are believed to be stable or increasing in many Central and South American countries where white-tailed hawks occur. They adapt readily to human-altered environments in these regions. While still facing localized threats, there are no major concerns over the species’ status.
Interesting Facts
- White-tailed hawks are opportunistic predators and scavengers. They eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, carrion, and even fruit.
- They are agile fliers and fly with slow, deep wing beats when hunting.
- Nests are built in trees, on cliffs, or on man-made structures. Pairs often use the same nest site for years.
- The hawks are sometimes observed soaring high in the air on thermal updrafts.
- Young hawks have a gray band on their tail instead of white. The white tail emerges as they mature.
Conclusion
In summary, white-tailed hawks occupy diverse habitats from the extreme southern U.S. through Central and South America. They are adaptable and generally common across this large range. While they face some localized threats, white-tailed hawk populations remain secure throughout their range thanks to their ability to thrive in human-modified environments.
