The Gray Hawk is very rare to the United States. Estimates are about 100 nesting pairs. They migrate into the US along the Santa Cruz River from Nogales to Tumacacori and Tubac. From there they either stay and nest along the river, or go 20 miles east across the Santa Rita Mountains to Patagonia Creek. They will also go another 20 miles further east across the Huachuca Mountains to the San Pedro River. These are the most likely spots to find this rare hawk.
Unlike the Ferruginous Hawk, the Gray Hawk primarily eats lizards found on tree branches that it spots either from a perch or flying along the river/creek.
The Gray Hawk migration can be seen each March usually between the 10th and the 20th. Birders gather at Morriss County Park in Tubac as the hawks arrive daily (usually between 8:30 and 2:00).
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