Larger and chunkier than our Red-tailed Hawk, this hawk enjoys prairies and grasslands. Very rare in B.C. even in suitable habitat in the Interior. Listed as a threatened species in Canada where they are found in declining numbers in the Prairie Provinces. Winters in the southern United States, some northwards movements during spring migration including the Canadian breeding population. Our only record is of a bird in spring.

Similar species:
Large and pale with a large bill and obvious mouth (gape). The dark phase is uncommon and may blend in more with our common hawks at a casual glance.

Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
Sibley, D. 2000
Nature Canada

Back to Species List
Back to Top
Back to Home