Broad-wing Hawks (Buteo platypterus)are recognizablewhile soaring by their full wingspan and white tailbands. Like hawks generally, they are intelligent andhighly adaptive. Their visual acuity, sharpness of vision, isastounding owing to the density of photoreceptors in their retinabeing five times greater than the density of the human retina.Broad-wings are skillful hunters, preying on lizards, chipmunksand voles but changing their diet as seasons and available foodchange. They hunt beneath the forest canopy from a high perch,diving down upon and seizing prey with their deadly talons.They skin some prey like frogs and snakes but consume smallmammals whole.Some hawks pair-bond for life. They mate famously in freefallfrom high altitudes. The female is larger than the male.The fall migration of Broad-wings and other hawks returningto Central and South America reaches its peak in September. Atthis time, large “kettles” form containing hundreds of migratingbirds, taking advantage of favorable winds and riding thermalsin huge spiraling cauldrons, reaching their highest point beforeindividual birds peel off to soar great distances to the southwhile searching for the next updraft.On September days with clear skies and favorable wind, thou-sands of Broad-wings can be sighted soaring through the gorgesand mountains of the Great Smoky and Appalachian ranges.A local opportunity to sight migrating hawks is being led bythe Highlands Plateau Audubon Society this month. During thedates of September 18-24, depending on weather conditions,birders will hike up Whiteside Mountain to search the sky forsoaring hawks. This trip requires some strenuous hiking up themountain and down again along steep trails. The exact date willdepend upon wind and weather forecasts.All are welcome; binoculars will be provided.The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is toprovide opportunities to learn about birds and other wildlifeand to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats thatsupport them.
by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society
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