Birds diurnal

Gray Hawk

Buteo plagiatus

Often called the 'Mexican Goshawk,' the Gray Hawk is a sleek, agile hunter of the desert southwest's hidden oases. With its striking barred plumage and piercing whistle, it brings a touch of tropical elegance to the riparian woodlands.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 18–24 in (46–61 cm) | Wingspan: 31–40 in (80–102 cm) | Weight: 1–1.4 lbs (475–650 g)

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Colors

Adults are a uniform pale gray above with fine gray-and-white horizontal barring on the underparts. The tail is black with two to three conspicuous white bands.

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Key Features

Finely barred gray and white underparts
Wide black tail with 2-3 bold white bands
Relatively short, broad wings compared to other Buteos
Bright yellow cere (base of beak) and legs

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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Season April–August (United States); Year-round (Mexico and Central America)

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Diet Primarily lizards (whiptails and spiny lizards) and snakes, supplemented by small birds, rodents, and large insects.

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Habitat Riparian woodlands, cottonwood groves, mesquite bosques, and tropical forest edges near water.

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Behavior

The Gray Hawk is a master of the riparian forest, often described as a 'buteo with the soul of an accipiter.' Unlike many of its larger relatives that soar high in the open sky, the Gray Hawk prefers to hunt within the canopy or along forest edges. It is incredibly agile, capable of weaving through dense branches with surprising speed to snatch lizards or small birds. They are highly territorial and vocal during the nesting season, often giving a loud, melancholic whistling call that can be heard from a distance.

While they are solitary hunters, they are often seen in pairs during the spring as they perform aerial courtship displays. In the United States, they are primarily summer residents of the Southwest, appearing in cottonwood-willow groves and mesquite bosques. They are generally wary of humans but can become accustomed to backyards that border natural woodlands, especially if there is a reliable water source or a high density of prey like lizards.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Gray Hawk on camera, location is everything. These hawks are strictly tied to riparian corridors—areas with mature trees near water. If your property has tall cottonwoods, willows, or mesquite trees, aim your camera at a sturdy, horizontal 'lookout' branch about 10 to 20 feet off the ground. Gray Hawks prefer perches that offer a clear view of the ground or a clearing where they can spot lizards sunning themselves. Using a trail camera with a fast trigger speed is essential, as their strikes are lightning-fast.

Water is a massive draw for this species, especially in the arid Southwest. A backyard birdbath or a small pond can be a goldmine for Gray Hawk footage. Position your camera about 5 to 10 feet from the water source, angled slightly upward to catch the bird as it lands. They don't just come to drink; they often bathe to cool off during the heat of the day. Setting your camera to 'Video' or 'Burst' mode will help you capture the dramatic splashing and the fanning of their distinctive barred tails.

Because Gray Hawks are diurnal and hunt by sight, your camera should be positioned to avoid direct lens flare from the midday sun. North-facing setups are generally best for consistent lighting. While you cannot easily bait a hawk with seeds, maintaining a lizard-friendly backyard (using rock piles or fallen logs) will naturally attract the Gray Hawk’s primary food source, keeping the predator in the area longer for your camera to catch. If you are using a cellular camera, look for activity spikes between 10 AM and 2 PM, when lizards are most active and the hawks are actively hunting.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Gray Hawk.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawks have a distinct reddish chest and checkered wing patterns, whereas Gray Hawks are uniformly gray and white.

Broad-winged Hawk

Broad-winged Hawks have brown barring rather than gray, and their tail bands are of more equal width.

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's Hawks have a much longer tail and lack the bold, wide white tail bands and uniform gray appearance of the Gray Hawk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gray Hawks are most active during the middle of the day, typically from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. This coincides with the peak activity of their favorite prey—lizards—which need the heat of the sun to move around.

The best way to attract Gray Hawks is to provide a water source, such as a large birdbath or pond, and maintain tall, mature trees. Creating a habitat for lizards using rock piles and native plants also provides the food source they need to stay in your area.

Their diet consists mostly of reptiles, specifically lizards and small snakes. However, they are opportunistic and will also hunt small birds, squirrels, and large grasshoppers if the opportunity arises.

They are only found in suburban areas that are located near their specific habitat—riparian woodlands in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. They are much less common in urban centers than Cooper's Hawks or Red-tailed Hawks.

Gray Hawks are much paler and more uniform gray on their backs, whereas Red-shouldered Hawks have dark wings with white 'checkering.' Additionally, the Gray Hawk's tail bands are wider and more distinct white-on-black.

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