Gray Hawk — Species Information

Species common name
Gray hawk
Latin name
Buteo nitidus
Order, family
Accipitridae, Falconiformes
Range, habitat
Riverside woodlands of cottonwoods, willows and sycamores. Sonoran desert south along the western coast of Mexico, the eastern coast of Mexico and into Central America.
Weight
378-750 g
Wingspan
82-98 cm
Length
36-46 cm
Lifespan
Unknown
Clutch, nest
1-5; cup shaped nest in a high tree.
Predators
Unknown, but as a medium-sized raptor can expect great horned owls and golden eagles to be possible predators.
Prey
80% of diet is reptiles- mostly lizards. Also small birds, small mammals, large insects and amphibians.

Gray Hawk by Ian Collier
Gray Hawk - © Ian Collier

A great conservation story; 15 years ago there were only about 80 known nesting pairs in Southern Arizona. Through riparian conservation efforts, and practicing wise use of the land those numbers have increased to nearly 200 nesting pairs. Also, the Desert Museum is the only AZA-accredited facility to display a Gray Hawk.

Fun Facts!

A predominantly Mexican and South American species, a small population migrates to spend the spring and summer months in southern Arizona

Found in lowland riparian areas and mesquite bosques

Specializes in reptilian prey, especially lizards

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“The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, just west of Tucson, is home to one of the most spectacular and accessible avian demonstrations in the U.S.”
-Joseph Cyr, AFAR, The Collaborative Travel Guide