White-tailed Hawk
-Buteo albicaudatus-
The only large Buteo that hovers while searching for prey; small mammals, birds, lizards and snakes. Pale gray back, white rump and tail with one black line vertically across the tail. Clean white below with dark inner primaries. The shoulders bear a rich chestnut patch. Young much darker. When seen in good lighting I believe this to be among the most beautiful of hawks.
Length: 23 inches
Wingspan: 50 inches
Weight: 2.3 pounds
A non-migrating Texas specialty with none being found north of Texas. The only hawk that nests on Padre Island. Lives in oak savanna, coastal prairie mesquite savannas and chaparral.
The only large Buteo that hovers while searching for prey; small mammals, birds, lizards and snakes. Pale gray back, white rump and tail with one black line vertically across the tail. Clean white below with dark inner primaries. The shoulders bear a rich chestnut patch. Young much darker. When seen in good lighting I believe this to be among the most beautiful of hawks.
Length: 23 inches
Wingspan: 50 inches
Weight: 2.3 pounds