Swainson's Hawk

Description:

Considered Least Concern by IUCN. A common small hawk of the West, the Swainson's Hawk gathers in huge congregations to migrate more than 10,000 km to its wintering grounds in South America. The population is declining throughout much of its range, and is vulnerable to pesticide poisoning, especially on its wintering grounds. The use of pesticides in Argentina was responsible for the deaths of nearly 6,000 Swainson's Hawks in 1995 and 1996.

Habitat:

Found in open country such as grassland, shrubland, and agricultural areas. Swainson's Hawk has one of the longest migrations of any American raptor - from Canada to Argentina. Only tundra breeding Peregrine Falcons travel farther. A Swainson's Hawk can make the 10,000 km trip (6214 mi) in less than two months, averaging nearly 200 km (124 mi) per day.

Notes:

Photo of captive hawk used for educational programs (due to a wing injury he cannot make long flights such as the migration) at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.