Roadside Hawk Identification

Adult (Northern)

A small raptor found at forest edges across much of the tropical Americas. Adult has light iris, yellow cere (facial skin), orange-yellow legs, and rufous-and-white barring on the belly and below; other plumage details vary considerably across range. Some “Northern” adults, like this individual, have a light gray head and breast.

Adult (Northern)

All adults show large, distinctive rufous wing patches in flight. Adult tail color varies from rufous to gray, with 4–5 broad black bands. The “Northern” subspecies group ranges from Mexico to the southern Amazon.

Adult (Northern)

A small hawk of forest edges and other open habitats. Adult plumage varies considerably. Some “Northern” adults have brownish-gray upperparts and head, coarse streaking on the breast, and rufous barring below. All adults have a pale eye, yellow cere, bright rufous wing patches (more obvious in flight), and broad black bands on the tail.

Adult (Southern)

The “Southern” subspecies group occurs south of the Amazon, from northeastern Brazil to northern Argentina. Many “Southern” adults have dark brown upperparts, a nearly black head, and rusty underparts (streaked on the breast, barred below).

Juvenile (Northern)

Immature has white or buffy underparts, with coarse brownish streaking on the breast and barring on the belly. Many immatures also have a prominent white line above the eye.

Adult (Southern)

“Southern” adult often has a dark brown head, brown upperparts, and cinnamon underparts with fine barring on the belly.

Adult (Northern)

In flight, note short, rounded wings; fairly long tail (usually kept closed); and, in adult, large rufous wing patches.

Juvenile (Northern)

Often seen perched on wires, fence posts, and telephone poles alongside roads. Juvenile “Northern” has upper tail pattern similar to adult, but with gray bands alternating with black.

Juvenile (Southern)

Juvenile “Southern” has light stripe above the eye, buffy streaking on the neck, and whitish underparts with brownish streaking and barring.

Juvenile (Southern)

Juvenile “Southern” has light stripe above the eye, buffy streaking on the neck, and whitish underparts with brownish streaking on the breast and barring below.

Immature (Northern)

Immature “Northern” can have little or no rufous patch in the wings. Note short, rounded wings and fairly long, barred tail.

Adult (Northern)

A very vocal hawk. Both sexes give long series of nasal calls, somewhat reminiscent of a woodpecker. Note the large rufous wing patches when the bird opens its wings.

Adult (Southern)

In some “Southern” populations, adult has a dark head, rich brown upperparts, and a reddish tail with black bands.

Adult (Northern)

Often perches close to the ground, in search of insects, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and other prey.

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Identification

Well-named, the common roadside hawk in tropical lowlands of East Mexico and Central and South America. Often seen on wires, phone poles, posts out in fields. Adult has staring pale eyes, streaked breast contrasting with barred belly. Immature streaked below, much like many other immature hawks, but its tail has broad and fairly even bands. Flies with rather quick, stiff wingbeats, recalling a Red-shouldered Hawk or an Accipiter; noisy flight display mainly in late winter-spring.

Relative Size

Larger than a Bat Falcon and smaller than a Laughing Falcon.

Size chart showing sparrow to goose sized

Measurements

Both Sexes
- Length: 13.0-16.1 in (33-41 cm)
- Weight: 7.6-18.2 oz (215-515 g)

Regional Differences

Ornithologists recognize three Roadside Hawk subspecies groups: the “Northern” group, found from Mexico to the southern Amazon; the “Southern” group, ranging from northeastern Brazil to Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina; and the “Cozumel Island” group, restricted to Cozumel and Holbox islands off Mexico’s Yucatan coast. Adult plumage varies significantly between these groups, and also somewhat within groups. In some “Northern” populations, adult has a light gray head and breast, rufous-and-white barring on the lower underparts, and gray upperparts. Some “Northern” populations, though, are browner, with coarse streaking or smudging on the breast. In many “Southern” populations, adult has brown upperparts, a dark brown to blackish head, and rusty underparts (lightly streaked to finely barred below). In other “Southern” populations, adult has a grayish head and lighter brown upperparts. Adult “Cozumel Island” has brown upperparts, a brown head, brown streaking on a white breast, and rusty barring below.