Swainson's Hawks in Flight

The southward migration has begun

The southward migration has begun

Swainson's Hawks migrate in large groups, often forming what is called a "kettle" in the sky. Their migration routes can mimic that of other raptors but they are also comfortable migrating over open country. Migration season has begun and reports of flocks or kettles of a hundred birds or more are beginning to be reported. One group of Swainson's that settled in this Pima County farmfield would periodically lift off and fly to another part of the farm.

Throughout the time I was observing the Swainson's, many birds would take to the air. Sometimes they would circle high before returning to the farm. Sometimes the group would fly off towards the east or south. And often new groups of Swainson's would drop down from the sky, circle, and then land at the farm. The following photos show you the wide range of colors that Swainson's come in. There is a light, rufous, and dark "morph", or plumage pattern. And then the first year and second year birds have a different, more spotty plumage before they assume full adult plumage. Those birds are referred to as either juvenile, immature, or sub-adult. Today's post gives you a chance to look at many of the varieties of Swainson's Hawks that there are.

The back or dorsal side of Swainson's Hawks is uniformly gray or brown.

Swainson's are part of the genus of hawks in the Buteo genus. Those hawks generally have broad wings, a sturdy build, and tendencies to soar.

Swainson's Hawks, like the one below, have long wings with pointed wingtips at the end.

Two of the typical looking light morph Swainson's were soaring near the half-moon.

This is a stereotypical Swainson's with a gray/brown hood, a brown bib, white belly, dark flight feathers and light feathers in the front of the wings.

Sometimes when these raptors are gliding, they hold their wings in an "M" shape.

Sometimes the wings are straight out. Those ragged tail feathers molt and should get replaced at some point during this migration season.

This Swainson's was gliding straight towards me. It has molted one wing feather and one or two tail feathers. New feathers will grow in soon

Another light-morph Swainson's gliding under the clouds with its wings held in the 'M' shape.

I'm not sure why this bird was holding its feet open. Swainson's Hawks will catch insects in the air and may dive from a soar to capture insects or other prey on the ground. I didn't see this bird attempt that but it was unusual to see its feet wide open in the air.

I know I'm sharing a large number of birds here. Can you imagine standing under a group of 50-100 or more of these birds, flying in slow circles overhead? That's what we experienced over and over again at that farm.

I'm sure those flocks of birds have moved on by now, but more inevitably will be taking their place at that or other area farms through September.