Short-tailed Hawk

This is a medium-sized bird of prey that exhibits a body length of 15 to 17 inches (39 to 44 centimeters) and a wingspan ranging from 33 to 41 inches (83 to 103 centimeters). The species displays a striking color polymorphism with two distinct color phases and virtually no intermediate morphs. The light morph features dark brown or blackish upperparts that contrast sharply with a pure white breast, belly, and underwing coverts, accented by a subtle patch of rufous coloring on the sides of the neck. Conversely, the dark morph is almost entirely uniform sooty brownish-black, except for the flight feathers and tail, which are barred with gray. Both morphs possess broad, relatively short wings, a short, square-tipped tail, dark brown eyes, bright yellow legs and cere, and a black-tipped bill with a yellow base.

Geographical distribution: It is widely but patchily distributed across the Americas. Its northernmost breeding range is restricted to the southern half of Florida in the United States, with occasional winter sightings or rare breeding records in southern Texas and southeastern Arizona. Moving southward, its range extends continuously through Mexico, across Central America, and deep into South America, reaching as far south as northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. The northernmost populations in Florida are known to be partially migratory, with individuals moving to the southernmost tip of the peninsula and the Florida Keys during the winter months.

Habitat: This raptor preferentially occupies transitional areas where dense woodlands border open spaces. It can be found in a diverse array of ecosystems, including pine flatwoods, tropical deciduous forests, mangroves, humid evergreen forests, wooded savannas, montane forests, and cypress swamps. While it relies on tall forest canopies for nesting and roosting, it requires adjacent open country, fields, or marshes to conduct its aerial hunting. Its altitudinal range is remarkably broad, spanning from sea level to elevations exceeding 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) in the Andean slopes.

Feeding: It is a highly specialized predator whose diet consists primarily of small songbirds, particularly warblers, tanagers, and blackbirds. It catches its prey by surprise, scanning the forest canopy from high above and executing rapid, near-vertical stoops to snatch birds directly from the foliage or mid-air. Occasionally, it supplements its diet with small rodents, lizards, tree frogs, and large insects such as grasshoppers. Its hunting strategy relies on exceptional aerial maneuverability and wind currents, allowing it to hang motionless in the air before diving.

Behavior: It is renowned for its magnificent soaring capabilities, frequently spending hours high in the sky performing "kiting" (hovering motionless against the wind) to search for prey without flapping its wings. It is a largely solitary bird, though pairs can be seen together during the breeding season. Compared to other members of its genus, it is remarkably quiet, uttering a high-pitched, plaintive whistle mostly near the nesting site or during territorial aerial displays.

Nesting: The breeding cycle begins with the construction of a bulky, cup-shaped nest made of twigs and sticks, situated high in the fork of a mature tree, such as a cypress, pine, or mangrove. The nest bowl is meticulously lined with green leaves and Spanish moss. The female typically lays a clutch of 1 to 3 bluish-white eggs, lightly speckled with brown. Incubation is performed almost exclusively by the female for a period of 30 to 35 days, while the male provides food. The young are altricial and remain in the nest for 6 to 7 weeks before fledging and gaining independence.

Conservation status: The species is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to its vast global range. However, local populations face severe conservation challenges. In Florida, the population is considered small and vulnerable, threatened primarily by rapid habitat loss, forest fragmentation, urban development, and the alteration of wetland systems, which reduce the availability of suitable nesting trees and hunting grounds.