Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus

Identification: This small crow-sized hawk, 13-14 inches in length with a wingspread of about 35 inches, occurs in two distinct color morphs-light and dark. Both morphs are dark above and, in flight, the tail shows brown bands on a gray-brown background. In the light form, the body and forward wing sections are white and the solid dark head contrasts with the white throat and underparts, making the bird look like it is wearing a dark hood. In the dark form, these areas are black with some white, barred with dusky, on the underside of the flight feathers. Immature birds are similar to adults, but the dark areas have a streaked or dappled appearance and the lower sides are a light buff. No other small buteo found in Florida has either pure-white or jet-black underparts. Its long, broad wings reach the end of its short tail when perched and the wingtips are held upwards, like a Turkey Vulture, while soaring, making is easy to mistake the dark morph.

Range & Habitat: Most commonly found in mixed woodland and savanna habitats, Short-tails often perch in tall trees and might be seen soaring high on rising air currents at midday. This tropical species is found from northern Argentina to Mexico, reaching the United States only in Florida where there is a small permanent population in the mangrove and cypress swamps of Everglades National Park. Nearly all Florida birds winter south of Okeechobee, but most breed to the north all the way up the peninsula, especially near the gulf coast.

Reproduction: Nests are large and bulky for the size of the bird, built of sticks and twigs lined with green sprays of cypress and/or magnolia leaves. Nests are usually situated 40-100 feet above the ground in the topmost branches of cypress, magnolia, tupelo or pine trees or in the top of mangroves. Egg laying occurs from late February to early May and, commonly, two dull pale bluish-white eggs are laid. Light and dark morphs interbreed but apparently do not produce intergrades or offspring of intermediate colors. The incubation period is around 35 days and the young fledge at 4 to 5 weeks of age.

Diet: Although not designed for speed, the Short-tailed Hawk is a habitual bird hunter, preying on medium-sized birds of open country, such as Eastern Meadowlarks and Red-Winged Blackbirds. This hawk is often seen hanging in the wind high overhead, and when it spots likely prey, it makes spectacular dives or "stoops" into the open forest. They may also take occasional lizards, wasps, grasshoppers and small mammals.

Remarks: The population in the United States is very small with 300-400 birds concentrated mainly in the southern part of the state of Florida with the dark color morph being more common. Sightings outside of Florida are extremely rare.

The Avian Research and Conservation Institute has been studying the Florida population of Short-tailed Hawks since 1998 and is currently conducting research on nesting and wintering ecology using radio-telemetry. The study seeks to identify critical nesting sites and concentrations of hawks to determine area and habitat needs as well as threats, causes of mortality and demographic features that most influence population trends to develop a monitoring plan and recommend management and conservation action. For more information on Short-tailed Hawks contact ARCI at 352-335-4151 or e-mail Dr. Ken Meyer at: meyer@arcinst.org