Broad-winged hawk

Broad-winged hawk perched on a branch of an aspen, barred chest and yellow cere

The broad-winged hawk is a small, compact hawk of the forest, with a barred, rusty chest, a dark brown back, and a broad black and white banded tail. It is easiest to find in spring, when the leaves are not yet out and the birds sit quietly on bare branches.

Broad-winged hawks nest in mixed and deciduous woods across southern and central Manitoba, hunting small mammals, frogs, snakes, and large insects. In fall they gather in huge flocks, called kettles, and ride warm air south to Central and South America.

To learn more about this bird and its habitat, visit the broad-winged hawk page at All About Birds.

These are my favourite frames of a broad-winged hawk, taken one spring morning in the aspen.

Field notes in photographs

  • Broad-winged hawk perched on a branch of an aspen, barred chest and yellow cere
  • Broad-winged hawk perched in budding spring branches

Broad-winged hawk Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the broad-winged hawk in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the broad-winged hawk nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the broad-winged hawk in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Shield, the Boreal Plains, and the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

Follow new photos

New work is shared on Facebook and Bluesky first.

Follow on FacebookFollow on Bluesky