The broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a medium-sized hawk found in forests across much of North America. As their name suggests, broad-winged hawks have broad wings and short, rounded tails. They are a relatively small Buteo species, with adults reaching lengths of 13-17 inches and weights of 13-20 ounces. Broad-winged hawks are best known for their annual fall migration in large flocks known as kettles. Hundreds or thousands of broad-wings will gather together and ride thermal updrafts to travel south for the winter. Broad-winged hawk habitat and range are closely tied to the distribution of appropriate forest habitat across the continent.
Breeding Range and Habitat
Broad-winged hawks breed in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests across much of eastern North America. Their breeding range extends from southern Manitoba east to Nova Scotia and south to eastern Texas and Florida. They are one of the most common breeding hawks in the eastern United States.
During the breeding season, broad-winged hawks prefer mature deciduous or mixed forests with some clearing or edge habitat for foraging. They often nest in stands of forest near open fields or wetlands. Nests are typically placed in crooks or forks near the trunk in deciduous trees, especially sugar maples. Oak-hickory forests provide ideal habitat for nesting and raising young.
Key Areas
Some key areas for broad-winged hawk breeding include:
- Northern Hardwood Forests – forests across southern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and New England provide ideal mixed forest habitat
- Appalachian Mountains – populations are found throughout this forested mountain range
- North American Eastern Forest – stretching along the eastern seaboard south to Georgia and Alabama
Within their breeding range, broad-winged hawk densities are highest in areas with mature, unfragmented deciduous forests. They tolerate suburban areas with adequate tree cover but avoid open and developed areas.
Wintering Range and Habitat
As a medium-distance migrant, most broad-winged hawks winter in forests of Central America, Mexico, Florida, and the Caribbean. Their winter range spans from southern Mexico through Panama. Very small numbers may winter as far north as the southern United States.
Broad-winged hawks are unique among North American raptors in undertaking a prolonged transoceanic migration over the Caribbean to reach South America each fall. After migrating south in September and October, most broad-wings arrive on their wintering grounds by late October or November.
On their wintering grounds, broad-winged hawks occur primarily in tropical evergreen forests, forest edges, and semi-open wooded habitats. They occasionally venture into more open agricultural areas but largely remain in forested regions. Roosting and nesting occurs mainly in dense stands of trees.
Key Wintering Areas
Some important wintering areas include:
- Southern Mexico
- Central America – Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
- Caribbean islands – Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola
Broad-winged hawk winter ranges have shifted northward in recent decades, with increasing numbers wintering in Florida and along the Gulf Coast rather than farther south. Still, Central America and the Caribbean islands host the majority of the wintering population.
Migration Routes and Stopover Habitat
A unique aspect of broad-winged hawks is their long-distance migration in large flocks known as kettles. Their fall migration begins in September as birds leave breeding sites and gather at traditional starting points. Well-known migratory launch sites include Veracruz, Mexico and Panama’s Darién Gap.
From these gathering points, broad-wings migrate south over the Caribbean and along Central America’s Pacific coast. Their migration route spans 2,500-4,500 miles between breeding and wintering grounds. Kettles numbering thousands of hawks ride thermals and updrafts to travel efficiently.
During migration, broad-winged hawks stopover in areas that provide safe roosting sites and ample food. Forested stopover habitats allow them to rest and refuel for the next leg of their journey. Coastal forests, forested ridgelines, and wooded wetlands provide important stopover sites.
On their return north in spring, broad-wings follow a wider front across Central America and Mexico. They travel over land rather than making an ocean crossing. Spring migration occurs over a broader time frame from March to May.
Threats and Conservation
Broad-winged hawk populations are currently stable across most of their range. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 2.2 million, with 75% spending some part of the year in the U.S. They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
However, broad-winged hawks face threats common to many forest raptors. Habitat loss on both their breeding and wintering grounds is the largest threat. Deforestation reduces available nesting and foraging areas. On their migratory and wintering range, tropical deforestation impacts roosting and foraging habitats.
Collisions with vehicles and towers also contribute to broad-winged hawk mortality, especially during migration. Wind turbines pose an emerging threat. Other issues include competition with other raptors for nest sites, human disturbance of nests, and illegal shooting.
To protect broad-winged hawk populations, key conservation steps include:
- Preserving large forested tracts in their breeding range
- Maintaining stopover habitat along migration routes
- Protecting wintering habitat in Central and South America
- Retrofitting power lines, towers, and turbines to reduce collision risks
- Enforcing laws that protect raptors and their nests
With appropriate habitat conservation and protections, broad-winged hawk populations should remain stable. Their unique migratory behaviors and important ecological roles make them a valuable part of America’s forest and raptor communities. Maintaining populations will require coordinated efforts across their breeding and wintering ranges.
Conclusion
In summary, broad-winged hawks occupy a large range across forested areas of North America. They breed in deciduous and mixed forests of eastern North America from Canada through the eastern U.S. Most birds migrate long distances to spend the winter in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Their annual fall migration is a unique spectacle as groups traveling in kettles ride air currents south. Throughout their range, broad-winged hawks rely on intact forest ecosystems for nesting, foraging, and migratory stopover habitat. Conservation efforts focused on preserving these forests both north and south of their breeding range will help ensure stable broad-winged hawk populations. Their specialized migration and integral ecological roles make broad-winged hawks an important species to protect into the future.
