Gray Hawk

Buteo nitidus

Also known as:Grey Hawk, Grey-lined Hawk

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Identification

43 cm (17") Rare. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Woods along streams.

Gray upperparts, heavily barred beneath. Barred tail. White rump.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: Len Blumin

Watch and learn

1 video

Stunning Gray Hawk l Birds of Arizona

Credit: Birding Visions Cinema | Clive Bramham

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 4 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: Mainly on the wings · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:422-gray-hawk:1:1 Source: 422 Gray Hawk, row 1

Rule 2 10 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Dark band or bands running across the breast or neck · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:422-gray-hawk:2:1 Source: 422 Gray Hawk, row 2

2 rules

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · Over the entire bird · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:423-gray-hawk-immature:1:1 Source: 423 Gray Hawk (Immature), row 1

Rule 2 8 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:423-gray-hawk-immature:2:1 Source: 423 Gray Hawk (Immature), row 2