AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Buteo platypterus
Broad-winged Hawk
(Vieillot, 1823)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, stocky hawk with a short, square tail and notably broad, pointed wings. Adults of the common light morph feature dark brown upperparts and a white underbelly heavily barred with coarse, reddish-brown horizontal bands. Their most diagnostic field mark is the tail, which is boldly patterned with alternating, equal-width bands of black and stark white. A rare dark morph exists, which is entirely dark soot-brown. They possess bright yellow ceres and legs, with a sharp, dark, hooked beak.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Accipitriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Accipitridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Buteo
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Vieillot, 1823)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Increasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Breeds in extensive, continuous deciduous or mixed forests across eastern North America, often near water bodies or openings. During its long-distance winter migration, it occupies a diverse array of tropical forest types, including premontane humid forests, secondary woodlands, and shaded coffee plantations throughout Central America and northern South America.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
A quiet and sedentary hunter during the summer, spending hours perched under the forest canopy scanning for movement. It executes short, quick glides to seize prey from the ground or low vegetation. In contrast, its migratory behavior is dynamic, traveling up to 4,000 miles twice a year in immense, highly social visual groups.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary and highly territorial on both breeding and wintering grounds, actively chasing away intruders. However, it becomes extraordinarily gregarious during its biannual migrations, flocking together in thousands to form tight visual groups to safely navigate thermal airspace.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Carnivore (opportunistic predator feeding on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, nestling birds, and large invertebrates).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Occupies an intermediate predator role in forest ecosystems. It feeds on a diverse range of small animals, including nestling birds, small mammals, frogs, snakes, and large insects like cicadas. It is preyed upon by larger raptors, and its eggs are vulnerable to raccoons, porcupines, and crows.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Monogamous pairs build a relatively small, frail-looking nest of sticks and twigs lined with strips of bark and fresh green leaves, situated in the main crotch of a mature deciduous or coniferous tree. The female lays 2 to 3 creamy-white eggs blotched with brown, incubating them for about 31 days while the male aggressively defends the perimeter and brings prey.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
34.0 - 44.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
265 g - 560 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.1 - 4
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 - 2 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
28 - 32
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males8 - 14 Years
Females8 - 14 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Highly efficient broad wings optimized for thermal soaring, allowing the hawk to cover thousands of miles during migration by riding rising columns of warm air with minimal energetic expenditure or wing-flapping.
A versatile perch-and-wait hunting strategy combined with binocular vision, enabling quick detection and rapid drops onto well-camouflaged forest-floor prey such as amphibians and large insects.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Forest fragmentation in breeding grounds increases vulnerability to nest predation by Great Horned Owls and crows, while habitat degradation in Neotropical wintering areas poses long-term survival challenges.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
During autumn migration, tens of thousands of Broad-winged Hawks gather into massive swirling flocks called 'kettles,' creating spectacular aerial rivers as they pass over bottleneck sites in Central America.
They are highly vocal raptors, frequently giving a distinctive, high-pitched, piercing whistle that sounds remarkably like a small passerine or a whistle-toy, completely betraying their predatory nature.