Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Gray Hawk
Buse grise
Buteo plagiatus
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Gray Hawk (Asturina nitida) once known as the "Mexican Goshawk", because of its similar appearance to the Northern Goshawk, seen in North America. Today, some consider it to be a member of the buteo family, having wide rounded wing and a stocky build. It can be seen perched on a tree limb or on a utility line or gliding over the landscape, where it hunts for any unsuspecting rodents, small mammals or reptiles that it sees on the ground below.
Distinctions: The male and female are similar, the female is the larger bird of the two. They have light grey bodies, with small barring covering the whole breast, wings have light checkering, long tails with three dark bands and offsetting four light coloured bands. The juvenile is different from the parent as it has a brown back, wings and a tail that is banded. Breast is heavily streaked, and the face is white with bold eyelines.
Voice: Call notes are rapid cries, can be heard when the bird is perched or flying.
Nesting: Two to three bluish white eggs. Nest built high in the crown of a large tree. Nest is constructed of branches, sticks and leaves.
Life, Habitat and Pictures of North American Hawks
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17" 43.2cm | 34" 86.4cm | 1.2lb 544.3g | Accipitridae | Buteo plagiatus |
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Prefers an open and arid landscape, accustomed to a warmer climate. Breeds in the extreme southern Arizona regions. Can be seen in the winter months, north of the Rio Grande River in southeeastern Texas. It is a common native hawk to Mexico and Central American countries.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
