White-tailed Hawk

White-tailed Hawk

Buteo albicaudatus

Photo © 1998 David Sarkozi, Attwater Prairie-Chicken NWR, 1998

Last updated 3/2/96


White-tailed Hawks are a southern species that just makes it to the UTC. They are uncommon permanent residents of the coastal prairies.

The White-tailed Hawk has white or lightly barred underparts and wing linings. The tail in the adult is white with a single dark subterminal band. Juveniles are heavily streaked and the tail is faintly barred The flight feathers are darker than the wing linigs

At rest the wing tips project beyond the tail. In adults the rusty shoulder patches contrast with the dark gray of the upperparts. They shoulder patch is much fainter on juveniles

Look for it in west Harris County, Waller County, and in and around the Attwater NWR

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