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Swainson’s Hawk: Threatened In California

Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) photos by Larry Jordan

This Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) was the first raptor we spotted my first morning in Sierra Valley.  What a way to start the morning with the best look I ever had at a Swainson’s Hawk!

I had spotted this hawk before on trips down Interstate 5 in the Sacramento Valley of California but those sightings were from a distance. This Swainson’s Hawk was sitting on a post on a narrow two lane road (county road 24) on our way out to the viewing platform on Maddalena Ranch.  Since there was no traffic that early on a Friday morning, I stopped and snapped off some photos from the car.

These beautiful birds are now reduced in numbers or distribution throughout their range and considered to be declining in Utah, Nevada, and Oregon.  They are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and as Threatened in California.

Each autumn, nearly the entire breeding population of the Swainson’s Hawk migrates from the temperate zone of North America to wintering areas in South America. From Canada, this migration is more than 10,000 km each way, a distance second among raptors only to that of the Arctic Peregrine Falcon1.

Like most buteos, the Swainson’s Hawk feeds its young rodents, rabbits and reptiles but not so during non-breeding season.

Swainson’s Hawk Drawing by John James Audubon

When it’s not breeding, the Swainson’s Hawk eats insects, primarily grasshoppers.   Their numbers have dropped since the 1980’s primarily due to loss of feeding grounds in their U.S. and Canadian breeding territory, and pesticide use in Argentina where they winter.

Swainson’s Hawks now commonly breed in agricultural areas where they can find suitable prey and large trees for nesting.  This is exactly where we found this bird nesting in the Sierra Valley.

This is most likely the female since the male rarely incubates the eggs.  Here is another shot of her in the nest.  She was pretty well hidden.

I was, needless to say, excited just to see a nesting Swainson’s Hawk and it was in the only large tree in the area, surrounded by acres of farmland.  I hope they have a successful nesting season.

If you love birds and want to see more great bird photos, check out Bird Photography Weekly.

References: 1 Birds of North America Online

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • TexWisGirl June 19, 2011, 6:28 am

    it’s a beautiful bird. and that Audubon painting is a most recognizable one.

  • Lana June 19, 2011, 8:53 am

    Very nice shots–what a beautiful bird! As is far too usual, I’m sorry to hear about the declining numbers. 🙁

  • Mick June 19, 2011, 10:56 am

    Great to see the Hawk and to get such good photos. Seeing the nest was extra! Hope they make it through the season.

  • Kay June 19, 2011, 7:02 pm

    A really nice blog about the Swainson’s. Your photos are great.

  • NatureFootstep June 20, 2011, 12:29 am

    great info on a beautiful hawk. 🙂 Thanks!

  • The Zen Birdfeeder June 20, 2011, 7:55 am

    Great find and nice images. It’s tough when these threatened birds are fighting for their lives on both ends of their migratory journey.

  • ella June 25, 2011, 2:53 am

    A beautiful representation of nature