Swainson's Hawk

(Buteo swainsoni)

This hawk was named after the naturalist William Swainson, but is sometimes known as the grasshopper or locust hawk on account of its fondness for the insects. It can be found in prairie or other dry grassland habitats of western North America. The raptor measures around 20 inches long, weighing less than 3 pounds at adulthood. It has slender wings, and two color morphs. The light morph has a white underside, a reddish 'bib' on the chest, and dark wings with light edges. The dark morph, common to its western range, has brown to dark brown plumage except for a lighter patch under the tail.