As cooler air moves into Missouri this week, watch for small, reclusive hawks leaving nests and migrating south for the coming winter.
Broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus) have rusty bars on the breast, dark brown upperparts, and a tail with broad, equal-width white and black bands.
These small hawks often nest far away from humans, and most Missouri-resident specimens live in the forested Ozarks.
However, as seasonal cold fronts move into the region, broad-winged hawks migrating from other states join the Missouri-resident birds and together begin a 4,000-mile journey to spend their winters in Central and South America.
In the evenings, these large groups — called ‘kettles’ — will often settle in forested areas to spend the night. In the morning, hundreds of these hawks will lift-off, en-masse, and begin climbing warm, rising air currents.
Listen for their high-pitched, tow-noted whistles as they circle above the trees.
Learn more about broad-winged hawks with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s online field guide.
Discover Nature is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
