Hawks: Part I

Going alphabetically on the Hawks we start with two rarer ones to Southern Arizona, the Broad-winged Hawk and the Black Hawk.

First, the Broad-winged Hawk. An uncommon hawk in the Eastern United States.   It summers in the US and winters in South America. Like the Black Hawk, they gather together for mass entry and exit as they move along the migration routes.  It is rare to the Western United States. This one was photographed in April above Tanqque Verde Wash in Northeast Tucson.

Broad-winged Hawk

The Common Black Hawk is rarer to the United States in general. (i.e. not common at all). Estimates are about 250 nesting pairs in the US nearly all in Arizona. It arrives in Mass along the Santa Cruz River during March each year. The Tubac Hawk watch has become an annual event where birders come for a look. Birding organizations collect data on the migration.

The Black Hawk is always found near tree-lined water as its primarily diet is fish, frogs, and crayfish. It will also take lizards, small birds, and snakes.

Black Hawk

Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2018 - VII

Every March there is a "Hawk Watch"  in Tubac, Arizona along the Santa Cruz River, 15 miles north of the US/Mexico border to see hundreds of raptors migrating into the US.

You bring a chair, your breakfast (or lunch), water, binoculars, and camera to get a glimpse of some of the rarer raptors: Common Black Hawk (US population 300 nesting pairs); Zone Tailed Hawk (US population 300 nesting pairs), and Gray Hawk (US population 100 nesting pairs).

Last March I joined the crowds and got this photo of a Common Black Hawk. Ironically called "Common" as if they were everywhere:

Common Black Hawk

Raptors: XII

Another raptor found only in Arizona is the Common Black Hawk. I am not quite sure why the name "Common" Black Hawk. It certainly isn't very common with such limited distribution. This one I photographed at Turkey Creek in Araivipa Canyon (Galiuro Mountains). The Black Hawk perches in trees looking for amphibians to eat, so is never far from a creek or stream. It can be distinguished from the Zone Tail (next photo) by its relatively long yellow legs and much broader wings.

Common Black Hawk 

 The Zone Tail Hawk at rest looks very similar to the Black Hawk. However, since the Zone Tail Hawk hunts birds and small mammals from the air (and so is usually in the air)  it is easier to distinguish by its longer tail and narrower wings. Also because its legs are shorter, and tail longer, the legs don't trail to the end of the tail as it does with the Black Hawk. This photo was taken as I was eating lunch in our oasis.

Zone Tail Hawk