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Broad-Wing Hawks
Written By: William McReynolds - Highlands Plateau Audubon Society | Issue: 2018/09 - September
Broad-wing Hawks (Buteo platypterus) are recognizable while soaring by their full wing span and white tail bands. Like hawks generally, they are intelligent and highly adaptive. Their visual acuity, sharpness of vision, is astounding owing to the density of photoreceptors in their retina being five times greater than the density of the human retina.
Broad-wings are skillful hunters, preying on lizards, chipmunks, and voles but changing their diet as seasons and available food change. 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 small mammals whole.
Some hawks pair bond for life. They mate famously in freefall from high altitudes. Both male and female build the nest. The male subsequently brings food to the brooding female or takes his turn on the nest and then brings food to the hungry nestlings. The female is larger than the male.
The fall migration of Broad-wings and other hawks returning to Central and South America reaches its peak in September. At this time large “kettles” form containing hundreds to thousands of migrating birds, taking advantage of favorable winds and riding thermals in huge spiraling cauldrons, reach their highest point before individual birds peel off to soar great distances to the south while searching for the next updraft. On September days with clear skies and favorable wind, thousands of Broad-wings can be sighted soaring through the gorges and mountains of the Great Smoky and Appalachian ranges.
A local opportunity to sight migrating hawks is being led by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society this month. During the dates of September 17-22, depending on weather conditions, birders will hike up Whiteside Mountain to search the sky for soaring hawks. This trip requires some strenuous hiking up the mountain and down again along steep trails. The exact date will depend upon wind and weather forecasts. Call Brock Hutchins, (828) 787-1387 or (404) 295-0663, to join the email notification list. All are welcome; binoculars will be provided.
The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501 (c) (3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.
