White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2024)

White-tailed Hawk Photos and Videos

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (1)

Adult light morph

In flight note short, white tail with dark band near the tip and broad wings that are pointed at the tips. Light morph birds have dark primaries, white inner wing linings, and a white belly.

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2)

Adult light morph

Perched birds show a gray head, white belly, and dark wings with a chestnut patch on the shoulder. The wings extend beyond the tail when perched.

Adult light morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (4)

Adult dark morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (5)

Adult

Often soars in wide lazy circles with its wings held in a V or dihedral. Adults are dark above with chestnut shoulders and its namesake white tail marked with a black terminal band.

Immature

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (7)

Immature light morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (8)

Juvenile

When perched, note that the wings extend beyond the tail. Juvenile birds are dark above with a white breast patch.

Adult light morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (10)

Juvenile

Juvenile birds in flight have a white tail, a dark head, a white throat, and dark inner wing linings. Acquires adult plumage after 4 years.

Adult light morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (13)

Juvenile

Juveniles are dark overall with a white throat patch and dark belly. The tail is very faintly barred.

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (14)

Adult light morph

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (15)

Habitat

Found in open country, primarily savanna, prairie, and dry areas with mesquite, cacti, and bushes; very rarely in open forest.

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

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Swainson's Hawk

Short-tailed Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk

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The Four Keys to ID

A big, eagle-like hawk with very broad wings that narrow or pinch in slightly where they meet the body. The wings are also very long, and the wingtips extend past the tail tip at rest. The legs are fairly long.
Relative Size
Slightly larger than a Swainson’s Hawk, smaller than a Bald Eagle.
between crow and goose
Measurements
Male
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm)
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Female
Color Pattern
Behavior
Habitat

Regional Differences

Although there are three named subspecies of White-tailed Hawk, only one (hypospodius) occurs in the United States; it ranges south to northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Two other subspecies (colonus and albicaudatus) occur in South America.

White-tailed Hawk Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2024)

White-tailed Hawk Photos and Videos

Adult light morph

Adult light morph

Adult light morph

Adult dark morph

Adult

Immature

Immature light morph

Juvenile

Adult light morph

Juvenile

Juvenile

Adult light morph

Juvenile

Adult light morph

Habitat

Compare with Similar Species

Looking for ID Help?

The Four Keys to ID

Relative Size

MeasurementsMaleLength: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm)Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)Female

Regional Differences

Measurements
Male
Length: 18.1-20.5 in (46-52 cm)
Weight: 31.0-43.6 oz (880-1235 g)
Wingspan: 50.4-51.6 in (128-131 cm)
Female