Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), Tucson, Pima County

Short-tailed Hawk is a recent invader from Western Mexico into the state, but, to date, almost all of the documented sightings of this small Buteo have come from the "Sky Islands" of Southeast Arizona between late March and mid-October. This light morph immature, photographed on 11 February 2008 in Tucson  by Dave Stejskal near the intersection of Grant Rd. and Wilmot Rd., is the first documented sighting of this species from the lowlands and also provides the first non-breeding season sighting for the species in the state. 

Short-tailed Hawk is an ABC review species.. The ABC requests that reports of these species be accompanied by full details, including when possible, a photo, tape recording, video, or field sketch.  Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online form or click here for further instructions and information about ABC.  Submission of documentation to AZFO does not constitute submission to the ABC. 

Fig 1.  Immature light-morph Short-tailed Hawk.  Light morph immature Short-tailed Hawks are fairly similar to adults, but here the buffy, not white, underparts identify this an immature.  Note heavy banding on tail which is typical of immatures from Mexico, but not those from Florida. 

Fig 2.  Immature light-morph Short-tailed Hawk (right) being harassed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Both hawks prey extensively on birds and so are possible direct competitors. 

11 February 2008 photos by Dave Stejskal