MEASUREMENTS: The Swainson’s Hawk has a body length of 17 - 22 inches, a 4 - 4 1/2 foot wingspan, and weighs 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 pounds. HABITAT: This hawk can be found in open grasslands, prairies, farmlands, and deserts that have some trees for nesting. They summer in the western half of North America and winter in eastern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. DIET: Swainson’s Hawks mainly hunt mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, birds, and reptiles during the breeding season, and largely live off insects like grasshoppers, locust, and beetles during the non-breeding season. Swainson’s Hawks usually hunt by swooping down from a perch or while walking along the ground, and may hunt in teams. REPRODUCTION: The nest of the Swainson’s Hawk is made of sticks and lined with greenery, and is usually placed low in a tree, bush, or shrub. The female hawk lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated for 34 - 35 days. The young fledge about 6 weeks later. Swainson’s Hawks become sexually mature at 2 years. NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Latin word buteo, which is a kind of falcon or hawk, and the Latinized name from the English naturalist William Swainson. This hawk is also known as the Grasshopper Hawk, Brown Hawk, and Black Hawk. INTERESTING FACTS: Swainson’s Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks rely heavily on insects during the winter, therefore making them the most migratory of the North American buteo hawks. Most Swainson’s Hawks migrate in large flocks to their wintering grounds in South America, and are gregarious and will congregate in huge numbers at a good food supply. This hawk will follow tractors or stay close to prairie fires in search of disturbed or fleeing prey.

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