SHORT-TAILED HAWK

 A sharp raptor of the subtropical forests, the Short-tailed Hawk is often seen as a speck soaring in the sky, looking for prey. They occur in dark morphs (commonly found in Florida) with brown to black and white wings and tail; or as the light develops and the upper part is brown and the lower part is white. These rare falcons hunt birds in the air, leaning on them in the water suddenly and taking them directly from their peches. Short guns are specialized for hunting birds. They can catch species as small as the Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and as large as the Northern Bobwhite, and at high tide. The short gun is the buteo, a type of gun known for its broad wings and short tail. In this group, the name is a misnomer, as many other Buteo species have short tails. The isolated Florida Short-tailed Hawk population migrates south to winter in the South Peninsula and Florida Keys. The Florida Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock State Park is a great place to see the species, seeing up to 60 in two months and seeing small flocks (3-11 birds). Only about 500 Short-tailed Hawks live in the United States, 500 miles from the nearest breeders (in Mexico).

Blue streaked Lory

yellow collared lovebird

As with most Buteo falcons, the short-tailed has two plumages: a dark morph and a light morph. In Florida, dark morphs outnumber light morphs, but this is true elsewhere in this species. In both species, adult males and females have the same plumage, but females are larger. Find this bird. 

Short-tailed Hawks are abundant in America, but can be difficult to find as they soar in the air. In Florida, which is only about 500 people, try dropping by and playing in the Florida Keys. In the winter, Key West usually has a few peaks above the city at 10 a.m., and parts of Everglades National Park (especially Fish-eating Creek). Scan the sky at the edge of the forest and remember that these blue birds often hold their wings slightly higher, making them look like vultures.