Broad-winged hawks are a medium-sized hawk species found throughout eastern North America. They are a relatively common migrant through the region, but their breeding populations are localized and some regions considered them rare or uncommon nesting birds. Determining whether broad-winged hawks are truly rare depends on the specific location. Their breeding distributions are tied strongly to habitat, so they may be rare in areas without suitable nesting sites. Overall populations are stable so they are not considered globally rare or threatened. But locally, especially on the edges of their breeding range, broad-winged hawks may be rare and their nests should be protected when found.
What is the broad-winged hawk?
The broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a medium-sized raptor or bird of prey. Adults have brown upperparts and a barred brown belly and breast. Their wings are short and wide compared to other hawk species. The broad wings give them great maneuverability in forests where they hunt small birds, frogs, snakes and insects.
Broad-winged hawks are a migratory species, spending winters in Central and South America. They migrate in large flocks known as kettles, sometimes numbering in the thousands of birds.
Where do broad-winged hawks live?
Broad-winged hawks breed in eastern North America. Their breeding range extends across southern Canada and the eastern United States. They are found as far west as eastern Texas and North Dakota.
Within their broad breeding range, they are limited by suitable habitat. Broad-winged hawks nest in deciduous and mixed forests, especially younger stands with a dense understory. They are most common in areas with extensive forest tracts.
Some key habitats used by breeding broad-winged hawks include:
– Deciduous forests in Appalachian Mountains
– Oak and hickory forests in Midwest and Northeast
– Riparian forests along major rivers like the Mississippi
– Forested wetlands
In migration and winter they use a wider variety of forests, woodlots and plantations.
Is this species rare in parts of its range?
Broad-winged hawks are considered relatively common throughout much of their breeding range. But they may be locally uncommon or rare in some areas, especially along the periphery of their range.
Whether they are rare or not depends on the specific location and habitat availability.
Some regions where broad-winged hawks are rare nesting birds:
– Prairie states like North Dakota – at the western edge of breeding range, limited forest habitat
– Southwest states like Texas – limited habitat at southwestern range extent
– Western Great Lakes states – uncommon nesting reports in Minnesota, Iowa or Missouri
– Appalachian Mountains – scattered and localized nesting in this core habitat
They are also rare and local in breeding areas north of the United States, including southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada.
So while broad-winged hawks have a wide breeding distribution overall, the patchy nature of their preferred habitat makes them rare or uncommon in parts of that range. Development, logging and other habitat changes have also made them more localized.
Broad-winged hawk conservation status
The broad-winged hawk is considered a species of least concern globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means it is not considered threatened or rare overall.
The global population is estimated at 1.8 million individuals and is believed to be stable. Their breeding range covers over 4.7 million square kilometers.
So while broad-winged hawks may be rare locally, their total population is abundant enough that they are not globally threatened.
Regionally, broad-winged hawks receive various conservation rankings:
– State listings: rare or species of special concern in 5 states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Connecticut). Considered common in most eastern states.
– Audubon Watchlist: Yellow Watchlist, of lowest conservation concern
– Partners in Flight: on watch list in Appalachian Mountains Bird Conservation Region where populations are declining
– IUCN: Least concern
So this species is not considered globally threatened, but local conservation actions may be needed in areas where habitat limits breeding numbers. Protecting forest habitat can help maintain healthy regional populations.
How many broad-winged hawks are there?
The global population of broad-winged hawks is estimated at about 1.8 million adults by Partners in Flight.
In 2019, the U.S. State of the Birds Report estimated there were around 610,000 broad-winged hawks in the United States.
Breeding Bird Survey trend data shows populations have increased slightly in recent decades:
Time period | Trend | Annual % change |
1966-2019 | Increasing | +0.11% per year |
2005-2019 | Increasing | +0.72% per year |
But within local areas, especially at the edge of their range, densities may be much lower.
Notable state populations, based on Breeding Bird Atlas data:
State | Estimated pairs | Birds per 100 km2 |
New York | 5,000-10,000 | 5.4-10.8 |
Pennsylvania | 10,000-20,000 | 3.5-7 |
Michigan | 500-1,000 | 0.2-0.4 |
Minnesota | 50-100 | 0.03-0.06 |
So while broad-winged hawk populations are healthy overall, their spotted distribution and low density in parts of the range contributes to rarity assessments.
What makes broad-winged hawks rare in some areas?
Some key factors that make broad-winged hawks uncommon, localized or rare in parts of their breeding range include:
– **Patchy habitat distribution** – broad-winged hawks rely on large tracts of deciduous or mixed forest habitat. Where this habitat is fragmented or sparse, the hawks will be rare.
– **Range edges** – at the periphery of their range (e.g. Midwest prairies, Appalachian Mountains) habitat becomes patchier and breeding numbers drop.
– **Isolation** – small isolated populations may represent relict, shrinking distributions. Limited dispersal to and from other populations.
– **Development** – breeding habitat has declined over time due to logging, development, and fragmentation.
– **Competition** – may be excluded from some prime habitats by larger or more aggressive raptors. Declines have occurred in areas where red-shouldered hawk populations grow.
– **Forest succession** – loss of young forest with dense understory needed for nesting and hunting. Reforestation sometimes focuses on producing tall timber rather than early successional habitat.
– **Uncommon migrant** – throughout the range broad-winged hawks are common migrants. But unusual numbers or sightings of migrants may still attract interest.
How can rare broad-winged hawk populations be protected?
Where broad-winged hawks are identified as rare local breeders, some management practices can help protect and increase the population:
– Preserve large forest tracts and limit fragmentation through zoning, easements, parkland acquisition or incentives.
– Maintain habitat mosaics with young forest stands through sustainable selective logging or natural fire ecology.
– Monitor known nesting sites and provide protections from disturbance during nesting season of April-July. Restrict nearby development or loud activities.
– Support regrowth of shrubby areas and small tree stands in open parts of mature forests, through planting or thinning overabundant ungulates like deer.
– Provide connected corridors between fragmented habitat patches that allow dispersal and genetic exchange between isolated groups in deforested agricultural zones.
– Promote “hawk-friendly” practices among forest managers like leaving dead snags for nest sites and perches. Encourage retention of busy forests with more small bird prey.
– Educate public on avoiding nest disturbances and ethical practices for observing rare raptors. Discourage extensive banding or tagging that may affect breeding success.
– Consider managed reintroduction programs using hacking and release of captive-reared nestlings to boost extremely small populations. Monitor and support hacked birds.
With habitat protections and public engagement, even small populations of rare broad-winged hawks can be stabilized and strengthened over time. Their specialized needs present conservation challenges but also opportunities to constructively improve ecosystems. Achieving sustainable healthy forests will allow broad-winged hawks and other species to thrive.
Conclusion
The broad-winged hawk has a wide breeding distribution across eastern North America, but may still be considered locally rare or uncommon in parts of its range. At the edge of their range and in areas with fragmented habitat, broad-winged hawk populations are small and isolated. They are sensitive to habitat loss and prefer large contiguous tracts of younger deciduous forest where the dense understory supports the small birds and mammals they prey on. While broad-winged hawk populations remain healthy overall, focused conservation efforts are needed in regions where they are rare, local breeders to preserve key habitat and reduce disturbances. With appropriate habitat management and protections, even small populations are viable over the long term. The broad-winged hawk illustrates how specialized species may become rare in localized areas, providing opportunities for targeted conservation strategies that benefit both the rare species and the entire ecological community.