Short-tailed Hawk vs Swainson's Hawk

In short

The Short-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk can be distinguished by their flight patterns and habitat preferences. Short-tailed Hawks often soar at great heights with flat wings and slightly upturned wingtips, while Swainson's Hawks have a more typical buteo flight with long, narrow wings. Habitat can also be a clue, as Short-tailed Hawks prefer dense forests, whereas Swainson's Hawks are often found in open areas.

Identification tips

1. Flight pattern: Short-tailed Hawks soar with flat wings and slightly upturned wingtips; Swainson's Hawks have long, narrow wings. 2. Habitat: Look for Short-tailed Hawks in dense forests and Swainson's Hawks in open areas. 3. Plumage: Note the uniform dark morph of Short-tailed Hawks versus the dark bib of Swainson's Hawks in light morphs.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of medium-sized buteos, but Swainson's Hawk may appear slightly larger due to its longer wings.

Plumage

Both species exhibit light and dark morphs. Short-tailed Hawks have a more uniform dark morph with a contrasting white tail base, while Swainson's Hawks have a more varied plumage with a distinctive dark bib in light morphs.

Behaviour

Short-tailed Hawks are known for hanging motionless in the wind while hunting, whereas Swainson's Hawks are often seen soaring or perched in open areas.

Habitat

Short-tailed Hawks are typically found in dense, often wet forests, while Swainson's Hawks prefer open landscapes such as grasslands and agricultural fields.