09/03/2026
If you catch sight of a Broad-Winged Hawk soaring overhead, consider yourself lucky! These striking birds of prey spend much of their time tucked away in wooded areas, making them easy to miss. But during migration, they can become much more noticeable as they travel south in large groups called kettles. With their broad wings, distinctive banded tails, and impressive migration journey, Broad-Winged Hawks are a fascinating part of Kentucky’s birdlife.
Broad-Winged Hawks are stocky, compact raptors with a large head and bulky chest, about the size of an American Crow. Adults have dark brown backs, pale undersides, and rusty barring across the chest. Their wings have dark tips, while their tails feature distinctive black-and-white bands that can be especially helpful for identification while they are soaring. Broad-Winged Hawks occur in both light and dark color morphs, although the light morph is much more common. The rare dark morph has a much darker, almost uniformly brown appearance. Juveniles look different from adults and have pale yellow eyes that become darker brown as they mature. You may hear one before you see one; listen for their distinctive, high-pitched whistle, which sounds something like “ps-eeeeee!”
Broad-Winged Hawks return to eastern North America each spring to breed. Both the male and female help build their nest, which is typically placed about 25–40 feet above the ground in the lower portion of a large tree. They may build a new nest or reuse and add to an existing nest, sometimes taking advantage of old nests built by other hawks or even squirrels. A female typically lays 2–3 eggs, and after they hatch, she stays with the young almost constantly during their first one to two weeks while the male helps provide food. As they grow, the young quickly become more independent. By around 5–6 weeks old, they are generally able to fly and soon begin learning how to hunt for themselves.
Broad-Winged Hawks are primarily forest birds and usually hunt by watching for prey from a perch along the edge of woods or near water. Once prey is spotted, they swoop down and capture it with their powerful talons. Their diet includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and large insects.
When fall arrives, they begin an incredible journey south, traveling thousands of miles to the tropics and as far as South America. One of the most spectacular parts of their migration is the formation of kettles. Instead of constantly flapping their wings, Broad-Winged Hawks take advantage of rising columns of warm air called thermals. Groups of hawks circle together within these thermals, allowing them to gain altitude and conserve energy as they travel. These kettles can contain thousands of birds, creating an incredible sight for anyone who might be watching at the right time. Here in Southcentral Kentucky, keep your eyes on the sky in mid-September, especially around September 10–20. On the right day, you may be able to watch these remarkable migrants passing overhead.
Broad-Winged Hawks may spend much of the year hidden among the trees, but their fall migration gives us a wonderful opportunity to see them in action. Whether you spot a single hawk soaring overhead or a spectacular kettle of hundreds or even thousands, take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey these birds are making. So, this September, when you're outside on a warm, sunny day, don't forget to look up! You might just witness one of their impressive migrations.
