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Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
45 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
18 years[4]

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a bird in the family Accipitridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Broad-winged Hawk a global rank of G5 (Secure)[2]. In the United States its rank is N5B (Secure (breeding))[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B (Secure (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Broad-winged Hawk lives

NatureServe lists this hawk as native in 45 US states and territories[3]. These include Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Maine, Florida, California and Arizona[3]. Rankings differ by state, and NatureServe gives each state its own rank[11]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the bird, so it does not promise you will see one there[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S4BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5BNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: native, state rank SNAIDMontana: native, state rank SNAMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S3ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5B,S5NMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S2BSDIowa: native, state rank S3BIAIndiana: native, state rank S3BINOhio: native, state rank S4OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4B,S5MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S3B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S4BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S4BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNACAUtah: native, state rank SNAUTColorado: native, state rank S5BCONebraska: native, state rank SUNEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S4BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3BWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S3BMDDelaware: native, state rank S1BDEArizona: native, state rank S2MAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S1BKSArkansas: native, state rank S4BARTennessee: native, state rank S4BTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S4BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S1B,S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNRBOKLouisiana: native, state rank S4BLAMississippi: native, state rank S4BMSAlabama: native, state rank S4BALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4B,S5NFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (45 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaS2MImperiled (migrant)
ArkansasS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
ColoradoS5BSecure (breeding)
ConnecticutS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
DelawareS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisS3Vulnerable
IndianaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
IowaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
KansasS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
KentuckyS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
LouisianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MaineS5BSecure (breeding)
MarylandS3BVulnerable (breeding)
MassachusettsS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MissouriS3Vulnerable
MontanaSNANot Applicable
NebraskaSUUnrankable
New HampshireS5BSecure (breeding)
New JerseyS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS4Apparently Secure
OklahomaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
PennsylvaniaS4B,S5MApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (migrant)
Rhode IslandS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS2BImperiled (breeding)
TennesseeS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
TexasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
UtahSNANot Applicable
VermontS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
West VirginiaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records forest, woodland, forested wetland and riparian (streamside) habitat for this hawk[12]. In the breeding season it uses broadleaf and mixed forest, and it likes denser stands more than open woods[13]. It often nests close to wet areas, forest edges, openings and woodland roads[13]. Nests are placed in a tree fork or on a branch beside the trunk, in the lower part of the canopy[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

This hawk eats mostly warm-blooded vertebrates (70%), then reptiles and amphibians (20%) and invertebrates (10%)[14]. NatureServe notes small mammals, birds, snakes and frogs, and it hunts from a perch near clearings, edges and water[15]. Adults are about 41 cm (16 in) long and weigh about 490 g[16][17]. A clutch is usually 2 to 3 eggs, and the female does most of the incubating[18]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 18 years 4 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[16] 41 cm (16 in)
Typical adult weight[17] 490 g (17.3 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[19] 18.3 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 18 years 4 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 2.5
Gestation or incubation[21] 25 days
Female maturity[22] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[23] Carnivore, Invertivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[14]

  • 70% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 20% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Broad-winged Hawk is active by day[25]. NatureServe describes it as a long-distance migrant, though some populations do not migrate[24]. It usually travels in large groups and uses rising warm air, and it avoids crossing large bodies of water[26]. It arrives on northern breeding grounds from mid-April through early May and leaves by September or October[26]. GBIF records in the United States peak in April, May and September[27]. Records show when people report the bird, not how many there are[27].

January: 2,090 recordsJanFebruary: 1,861 recordsFebMarch: 9,270 recordsMarApril: 165,813 recordsAprMay: 173,753 recordsMayJune: 75,033 recordsJunJuly: 61,111 recordsJulAugust: 66,146 recordsAugSeptember: 148,123 recordsSepOctober: 39,220 recordsOctNovember: 4,804 recordsNovDecember: 2,158 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January2,090
February1,861
March9,270
April165,813
May173,753
June75,033
July61,111
August66,146
September148,123
October39,220
November4,804
December2,158

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Broad-winged Hawk as present in 126 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 102 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Minnesota, Maine[29]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Broad-winged Hawk endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[2].
Where does the Broad-winged Hawk live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 45 US states and territories, including Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota and Maine[3]. It uses forest and woodland, often near wet areas and edges[12][13].
What does the Broad-winged Hawk eat?
It eats small mammals, birds, snakes, frogs and large invertebrates[15]. About 70% of its diet is warm-blooded vertebrates[14].
How big is a Broad-winged Hawk?
NatureServe records a typical length of 41 cm (16 in) and a typical weight of 490 g[16][17].
How long does a Broad-winged Hawk live?
The oldest known banded bird was at least 18 years 4 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Broad-winged Hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Broad-winged Hawk: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Broad-winged Hawk as native in 45 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Broad-winged Hawk from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 18 years 4 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B (Secure (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Broad-winged Hawk is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Broad-winged Hawk (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Broad-winged Hawk: Forest - hardwood, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - mixed, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Broad-winged Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Broad-winged Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 41 cm (16 in). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 490 g (17.3 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Broad-winged Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 18.3 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2.5. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 25 days. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe migration category for Broad-winged Hawk: non-migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Broad-winged Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Broad-winged Hawk in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Broad-winged Hawk as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  29. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Broad-winged Hawk: Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Minnesota, Maine. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.