Identification

Perching: Medium-sized hawk with a small head, rufous- or brown-streaked/checkered breast, and long, banded tail.

Flying: Short, rounded wings and long, banded tail (compared to Buteos). Tail is rounded off at the end (compared to more square tail of sharp-shinned), and head projects far beyond wrists when gliding.

Nesting Habitat

Primarily coniferous forests in the mountains between 1500 and 3200 m. They typically nest in dense conifers such as Douglas fir, but they also nest in dense stands of juniper and scrub oak, and occasionally in aspen groves and riparian woodlands.

Nesting Dates

Courtship: March to May

Incubation: early May to early July

Dependent nestlings: late May to late July

Incubation period for 2-6 eggs is about 30 days. An average of 2-3 young fledge 27-30 days after hatching.

Statewide Distribution and Population

Scattered throughout the mountains and western plateaus, possibly also plains. Highest nesting densities may occur in western valleys and Front Range foothills. The Second Colorado Breeding Bird Altas shows an apparent eastward expansion and an increase in presence in urban areas. They are probably more common than some studies indicate, but they are secretive around the nest, which is often placed in dense foliage, where it is difficult to see.

Federal and State Status

Not listed.

Search and Nest Monitoring Protocol

Beginning in early May, search areas where individuals have been sighted. Care should be taken on identification as it is easy to confuse with Sharp-shinned hawks. Look for butcher blocks (stumps where prey has been taken apart) and pellets in areas of dense conifer growth. Once a nest has been located, visit every 2-3 weeks for no more than 20 minutes per visit. Do not approach within 200 m of active nests.

Recommended Nest Buffer Area

No foot traffic or recreational activity within 200 m of active nests.

References

Bent, A. C. 1937. Life histories of North American birds of prey, part 1. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 167, Washington, D.C.

Call, M. 1978. Nesting habitats and surveying techniques for common western raptors. U.S. Department of the Interior Technical Report 316.

Johnsgard, P. A. 1990. Hawks, eagles, and falcons of North America. Smithsonian Institution press, Washington, D.C.

Kingery, H. E., ed. 1998. Colorado breeding bird atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver.

Reynolds, R. T., and H. M. Wright. 1982. Nesting habitat preferences of accipiters in Oregon. Journal of Wildlife Management 46: 124-38.

Wickersham, L.E. 2016. The Second Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver.