Raptors: XIII

A common Summer visitor in the Southwest is the Swainson's Hawk. The Swainson's hunts in just about every way possible: perched, kiting, coursing (like the Harrier Hawk), and even walking. It eats small mammals and insects (especially grasshoppers and locusts). The Swainson's Hawk winters in Argentina giving it one of the longest migratory patterns. Its population declined much of the 20th Century due the use of pesticides in Argentina. However, working with the Argentinian farmers has helped the population to rebound.

Swainson's Hawk at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Swainson's Hawk near the Florida Mountains in Southwest New Mexico

Juvenile on Right

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk also near the Florida Mountains