The short-tailed hawk is an American bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles and Old World vultures. As a member of the genus Buteo, it is not a true hawk and thus also referred to as a "buteo" or "buzzard". The white-throated hawk is a close relative and was formerly included in the species B. brachyurus.
Region
Neotropics
Typical Environment
Found from the Florida Peninsula south through Mexico and Central America to northern and central South America, locally reaching the Andes and adjacent lowlands. It favors forested landscapes including tropical and subtropical evergreen forest, semi-open woodland, edges, and mangroves. Often seen soaring over clearings, river corridors, and forest margins where updrafts form. Occurs in both lowlands and foothills and tolerates mosaic habitats with scattered trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The short-tailed hawk is a small, compact buteo of the Neotropics, occurring from Florida through Central America into much of South America. It occurs in two striking color morphs: a light morph with white underparts and a dark morph that appears mostly chocolate-brown to blackish. Unlike many buteos, it frequently hunts small birds snatched from the canopy or in midair after a steep stoop from high altitude. It is closely related to the white-throated hawk and was once considered conspecific.
Captive male short-tailed hawk in Monterrey, Mexico
Buteo brachyurus (Dark Morph) Florida, USA
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs, soaring high above forest edges and clearings. Pairs build stick nests high in tall trees and are likely monogamous. Clutch size is small, and adults aggressively defend nest areas.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles and squeals, often given while soaring. Calls can carry over forest canopies and may become more frequent near territories or nests.
Plumage
Occurs in light and dark morphs. Light morph shows dark brown upperparts with clean white underparts and a contrasting dark trailing edge to the wings; tail is short with faint pale bands. Dark morph appears uniformly dark chocolate to blackish with slightly paler flight feathers and a subtly banded short tail.
Diet
Primarily preys on small birds captured from the canopy or in flight after a rapid stoop from high soaring heights. Also takes lizards, tree frogs, small mammals, and large insects when available. Hunts by circling high to scan, then executing a swift dive or surprise rush along edges and clearings.
Preferred Environment
Hunts over forest margins, river edges, mangroves, and semi-open woodlands where prey birds are abundant. Frequently forages along ecotones that provide both cover and open airspace for ambush and pursuit.
