Swainson’s Hawk

Buteo swainsonii

Diet

Small to medium-sized mammals, birds, and reptiles during breeding season. Primarily insects, especially grasshoppers and dragonflies, during the rest of the year.

Habitat

Grassland, scrubland, and agricultural areas.

Nesting

Lays 2-3 eggs in a stick nest built in trees or bushes. Incubation is 34-35 days, and fledging occurs 42-44 days later.

Did you know?

The Swainson’s hawk has one of the longest migrations of any American raptor – from Canada to Argentina. It can make the 6,214 mile trip in less than two months, averaging nearly 124 miles per day.