Physical Features:

• size of a crow
• a chunky buteo
• dark brown back
• has light belly
• tail of an adult has broad white stripes

Habitat:

• woods and groves
• broad leaves
• forests

Food/Prey:

• Snakes
• Frogs
• Toads
• Small Mammals
• Insects
• Lizards
• Birds

Nestlings:

• nests in a variety of trees up to 90 feet
• lays 2-4 eggs
• whitish eggs with bold brown marks

Flyways:

• South Canada, Eastern US to Gulf States
• Winters in South and Central America
• Not found west of the Rockies

Interesting Facts:

• voice is high pitched shrill "pweeeeee"
• often migrates in soaring flocks in kettles up to 8,000-10,000 hawks
• hawks nests are used for only two years
• sometimes migrates with the turkey vulture

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