The gray hawk or Mexican goshawk is a smallish raptor found in open country and forest edges. It is sometimes placed in the genus Asturina as Asturina plagiata. The species was split by the American Ornithological Society (AOU) from the gray-lined hawk. The gray hawk is found from Costa Rica north into the southwestern United States.
Region
Southwestern United States to Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas south through much of Mexico to northern Costa Rica. It is most often found along riparian woodlands, gallery forests, and edges of tropical deciduous forest. In arid regions it concentrates around rivers and desert oases with cottonwood-willow stands and mesquite bosques. It also uses second-growth and open country with scattered trees, often near water. Breeding in the U.S. is localized, with broader and more continuous distribution in Mexico and northern Central America.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Mexican goshawk, the gray hawk was split by the American Ornithological Society from the gray-lined hawk of South America. It favors riparian corridors and edges of open woodland, where it hunts primarily for lizards. In the southwestern United States it is a scarce breeder and more migratory, while farther south it is largely resident.
Near Phoenix, Arizona
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
flap-and-glide with buoyant soaring
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, maintaining territories along river corridors and woodland edges. Courtship involves soaring displays and exaggerated, slow wingbeats. Nests are built high in tall trees (often cottonwoods or similar), with 1–3 eggs laid and both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A high, whistled, plaintive call often rendered as a repeated kew-weee or pee-ee. Calls are most frequent during courtship and territorial displays and can carry over open riparian habitats.
