The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a compact tropical raptor recognized by its smooth gray plumage, finely barred underparts, and striking black-and-white tail. Although widespread from Mexico through Central America, it enters the United States only in limited parts of southern Arizona and Texas. Gray Hawks usually inhabit wooded riversides, thorn scrub, and forest edges where lizards—their favorite prey—are plentiful.
Gray Hawk Identification
The Gray Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey with relatively short, rounded wings, a long tail, and noticeably long legs. It is smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk but slightly larger than a Cooper’s Hawk.
Its long tail and flap-and-glide flight style can make it look more like an accipiter than a typical broad-winged Buteo hawk. Females are generally larger than males.
Adult Gray Hawk Appearance
An adult Gray Hawk has several distinctive features:
- Light gray head and upperparts
- Darker gray back and wings
- Pale gray-and-white barred chest and belly
- Long tail with bold black-and-white bands
- White feathers beneath the tail
- Dark wingtips
- Yellow legs and feet
- Hooked bill with a yellow base
- Dark eyes
The barring across the breast is narrow and orderly, creating a finely lined appearance. When the bird spreads its tail in flight, the contrasting black-and-white bands become especially noticeable.
Size and Wingspan
Gray Hawks are relatively small compared with many other hawks.
| Measurement | Approximate size |
| Body length | 16.5–22 inches |
| Wingspan | 30–37 inches |
| Weight | About 14–34 ounces |
| Female size | Noticeably larger than male |
Measurements vary by sex and individual. Their compact body, broad rounded wings, and fairly long tail help them move quickly through trees while pursuing reptiles and other small prey.
What Does a Juvenile Gray Hawk Look Like?
Juvenile Gray Hawks look very different from adults. Instead of being uniformly gray, they are mainly brown above and pale below.
Young birds usually have:
- Dark-brown upperparts
- White or cream-colored underparts
- Heavy brown spots or streaks across the belly
- Long brown-and-black barred tail
- White cheek and eyebrow
- Dark line passing through the eye
- Two brown facial stripes bordering the white cheek
- Yellow legs and feet
The bold facial pattern is one of the best ways to recognize a juvenile. Because young Gray Hawks are brown and streaked, they may be confused with juvenile Cooper’s, Broad-winged, or Red-shouldered Hawks.
Juveniles often fan their long tails while flying. Their plumage gradually changes as they mature, eventually developing the smooth gray color and finely barred underparts seen in adults.
Where Do Gray Hawks Live?
The Gray Hawk’s range extends from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Costa Rica. Within the United States, it has a very limited distribution concentrated mainly in southeastern Arizona and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Gray Hawks in Arizona
In Arizona, Gray Hawks are closely associated with cottonwood, willow, and mesquite woodlands along rivers and streams. They are most often found in southeastern parts of the state, particularly in wooded canyons and riparian corridors.
Arizona birds generally arrive around March and leave by October, although a small number may remain near the Mexican border during winter. Patagonia Lake and other wooded southeastern Arizona locations are known places to search for them.
During the breeding season, listening for the bird’s loud whistle can be more effective than searching the canopy. A perched Gray Hawk can remain surprisingly difficult to see among the branches.
Gray Hawks in Texas
In Texas, Gray Hawks are found mainly in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. They occur around mature riverside woodland, thorn forest, and areas containing Rio Grande ash, live oak, and other large trees.
Some individuals in extreme southern Texas remain throughout the year. Anzalduas County Park is among the locations where nesting Gray Hawks have been recorded. Texas classifies the Gray Hawk as a threatened species at the state level because of its restricted breeding distribution and dependence on limited habitat.
A Gray Hawk reported in Florida, California, Oklahoma, or another state outside its normal range would be unusual and should be documented carefully. Other gray-colored raptors are much more likely in those regions.
Gray Hawk Habitat
Gray Hawks occupy several warm, wooded habitats, including:
- Cottonwood and willow stands
- Mesquite woodland
- Thorn-scrub forest
- Tropical woodland
- Savanna
- Forest edges
- Open woodland clearings
- River and stream corridors
In the United States, they are more habitat-restricted than in tropical parts of their range. They rarely travel far from riverside cottonwood and willow stands, especially during nesting. Large mesquite woodlands surrounding the taller nesting trees are also important.
Tall trees provide nesting sites and shaded hunting perches. Open ground, tree trunks, and nearby clearings give the hawks opportunities to spot and capture lizards.
What Do Gray Hawks Eat?
Gray Hawks are reptile specialists. Lizards make up a particularly important portion of their diet, especially in Arizona.
Common prey includes:
- Whiptail lizards
- Spiny lizards
- Tree lizards
- Earless lizards
- Horned lizards
- Small snakes
- Toads
- Mice and woodrats
- Young rabbits
- Small and medium-sized birds
- Beetles and grasshoppers
They may also capture doves, kingbirds, quail, towhees, and nestling songbirds. However, reptiles remain their most characteristic food.
How Gray Hawks Hunt
A Gray Hawk often sits quietly below the forest canopy and watches the ground, branches, and tree trunks. When it notices a lizard, it launches a sudden short flight and grabs the animal with its feet.
The hawk may also circle low over a clearing or glide through woodland. It is faster and more agile among trees than its broad-winged shape might suggest.
Gray Hawk Call
The Gray Hawk gives a loud, clear, whistled call that may reveal its presence before the bird is seen. Its call is often described as a rising series of whistles and may sound unexpectedly powerful for a relatively small hawk.
Pairs become especially vocal around nesting territories. Their calls can carry through cottonwood and mesquite woodland, helping birdwatchers locate birds hidden high in the canopy.
Nesting and Breeding
Gray Hawk courtship includes circling, steep dives, and coordinated aerial displays. The male may climb high, dive rapidly, and repeat the display while calling. Both members of a pair can participate in aerial maneuvers.
Nest Location
Gray Hawks build stick nests in the upper half of tall trees. Cottonwoods are particularly important, but they may also use:
- Willows
- Sycamores
- Oaks
- Walnuts
- Ash trees
- Other large riverside trees
The nest is usually positioned on an outer branch but may occasionally be placed closer to the main trunk. Both adults help construct it using sticks and fresh leafy twigs.
Nests can be well hidden and located 40–60 feet above the ground, sometimes considerably higher. The same general nesting territory may be used during successive breeding seasons when habitat remains suitable.
Gray Hawk in Flight
A flying Gray Hawk shows broad, rounded wings and a relatively long, banded tail. Adults have dark wingtips, pale gray flight feathers, and a visible dark trailing edge to the wings.
They often soar with their wings held level and their tail spread. At other times, they use several quick wingbeats followed by a glide—an agile flight pattern resembling that of a Cooper’s Hawk.
Gray Hawk vs. Similar Birds
Several birds may be mistaken for a Gray Hawk.
Gray Hawk vs. Cooper’s Hawk
A Cooper’s Hawk has shorter, more rounded wings and a long tail, creating a similar shape. However, an adult Cooper’s Hawk has a blue-gray back, reddish barring below, and a dark cap. An adult Gray Hawk is gray-and-white throughout its body and has a much more strongly banded tail.
Gray Hawk vs. Red-shouldered Hawk
Adult Red-shouldered Hawks have rusty-orange underparts and reddish shoulders. Their tails have numerous narrow bands, whereas Gray Hawks have pale gray barring below and broader black-and-white tail bands.
Gray Hawk vs. Gray-lined Hawk
The Gray-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus) is a separate species found farther south. It closely resembles the Gray Hawk, which was previously treated as part of the same broader species.
In flight, the Gray-lined Hawk has barred primary tips and lacks the strong dark trailing wing edge shown by the Gray Hawk. Its white subterminal tail band is also wider than the other pale tail bands, while a Gray Hawk’s white tail bands are more evenly sized.
Conservation Status
The Gray Hawk remains widespread in tropical regions, but its United States breeding population is small and dependent on riverside woodland. Clearing cottonwood and mesquite forests, groundwater depletion, stream degradation, and loss of mature nesting trees can reduce suitable habitat.
Protecting wooded river corridors benefits Gray Hawks by preserving nesting trees, hunting areas, and healthy populations of reptiles and other prey.
FAQs
Is a Gray Hawk Rare?
Gray Hawks are fairly widespread in Mexico and Central America but rare and highly localized in the United States. They are normally found only in southern Arizona and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Are Gray Hawks Aggressive?
Gray Hawks are not generally dangerous to people. Like other nesting raptors, they may call, circle, or defend the area around their nest when disturbed. Observers should remain at a respectful distance.
What Is the Main Food of a Gray Hawk?
Lizards are their most important prey. Gray Hawks also eat snakes, small birds, rodents, rabbits, amphibians, grasshoppers, and beetles.
How Can You Identify a Gray Hawk’s Tail?
An adult has a long tail with bold alternating black-and-white bands. The tail is frequently fanned while the bird is soaring, making the pattern easy to see.
What Is the Best Time to See Gray Hawks in Arizona?
Spring through early fall offers the best chance because most Arizona Gray Hawks arrive around March and leave by October. Search wooded river corridors and listen for their loud whistles during the breeding season.
