Swainson’s hawks and red-tailed hawks are both broad-winged North American raptors, but they differ in shape, plumage, behavior, and migration. The quickest clue is often the red-tailed hawk’s rusty adult tail; a Swainson’s hawk usually has a darker, banded tail and may show a striking pale or dark underside in flight.
At a Glance
These hawks can look alike when seen briefly overhead, especially at a distance. Both soar on broad wings, hunt in open country, and show substantial variation in color. A useful comparison is to consider several features together rather than rely on one mark:
- Tail: Adult red-tailed hawks typically have a reddish upper tail. Swainson’s hawks generally have a gray-brown, finely banded tail.
- Underparts: Many red-tailed hawks have a dark belly band across a paler belly. Swainson’s hawks often show a contrasting dark chest or bib above a pale belly, though some are dark overall.
- Wings: Swainson’s hawks often appear long-winged and narrow-winged. Red-tailed hawks tend to look broader and more robust.
- Range and season: Swainson’s hawks are especially associated with the open landscapes of western and central North America and make long migrations. Red-tailed hawks are widespread and commonly remain in their territories through the year.
None of these clues works perfectly on its own. Age, lighting, distance, and individual color variation can change what a bird looks like.
How to Recognize a Red-Tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is a familiar sight perched on a roadside pole, soaring above farmland, or circling over a field. Its most recognizable feature is the brick-red or cinnamon-colored upper tail of an adult. From below, the tail may look pale or reddish depending on the light and viewing angle. Young red-tailed hawks do not yet have the characteristic adult red tail; their tails are usually brown and banded.
Look at the whole bird as well as its tail. Many red-tailed hawks have a pale underside crossed by a darker band of feathers on the belly. Their wings are broad, and a dark mark near the leading edge of each wing can be visible from below. These marks are sometimes called patagial marks. They are useful clues, but their strength and visibility vary among individuals.
Red-tailed hawks occupy a wide range of habitats, including open country, woodland edges, grasslands, deserts, and areas shaped by people. They often hunt from a perch, scanning the ground before swooping down. They also soar while searching for prey. This mix of adaptable habitat use and conspicuous perching helps explain why many people encounter them.
How to Recognize a Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s hawks are often associated with open plains, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes. In the air, they can look slimmer and longer-winged than a red-tailed hawk. Their plumage varies, but a common pattern includes a dark chest or bib, a pale throat and belly, and long, pointed-looking wings. Some birds are much darker, so an observer should not expect every Swainson’s hawk to show the same contrast.
The tail is usually banded rather than plainly reddish in adults. In flight, the underside of the wings can provide another clue: many birds show pale inner wing areas contrasted with darker flight feathers. The pattern is not identical in every individual, and shadow can obscure it. A combination of wing shape, chest pattern, tail, and location is more dependable than one mark alone.
Swainson’s hawks are known for long-distance migration between breeding areas in North America and wintering areas farther south. During migration, they may travel in groups and gather in large soaring flocks. Outside migration, they are commonly seen alone or in smaller groups while hunting or resting. Their seasonal movements can make them much more noticeable in some places at certain times of year.
Plumage, Age, and Color Variations
One common identification mistake is treating a field-guide illustration as a fixed template. Both species have variation, and a hawk’s appearance changes with age. Young birds of either species lack some of the distinctive adult plumage clues, while worn feathers, poor light, or a distant view may make patterns hard to read.
Red-tailed hawks include pale, intermediate, and dark-plumaged birds. A dark red-tailed hawk may not show the familiar pale belly and dark belly band clearly. Swainson’s hawks also vary, including pale and dark forms. A dark bird may be difficult to distinguish from other dark raptors if the view is brief.
When the tail is hidden, use multiple features. Note whether the bird has broad or relatively narrow wings, whether its underside is patterned, and whether it is soaring, perched, or hunting. If possible, observe it more than once. A clear view of the same bird from different angles can reveal details that a single glimpse conceals.
Flight, Hunting, and Food
Both hawks use soaring flight to cover ground while searching for prey, but their hunting habits reflect the landscapes and food sources available to them. Red-tailed hawks often wait on an elevated perch and drop toward prey on the ground. They also hunt while flying. Their diet includes small mammals and can include birds, reptiles, and other animals, depending on what is available.
Swainson’s hawks also take small mammals and other prey, and they may hunt from a perch or while flying. In some settings, they feed heavily on insects, including grasshoppers and other large insects. This can make their hunting behavior look different from a red-tailed hawk’s: a Swainson’s hawk may search over open ground where insects are abundant, rather than concentrating on a single perch.
It is misleading to say that one species always hunts in one way or eats only one kind of prey. Food choices change with season, location, and opportunity. A hawk seen over a field cannot be identified solely by guessing what it is hunting.
Range, Habitat, and Migration
Red-tailed hawks are widely distributed across North America and use a broad range of habitats. They are often seen in open areas with trees, poles, or other useful perches nearby. Many remain in the same general region year-round, although movements vary with local conditions and individual birds.
Swainson’s hawks are more closely tied to open country, particularly across western and central parts of North America. Many breed in North America and migrate to South America for the nonbreeding season. Their migration is a major part of their natural history, and a flock of soaring hawks can be a memorable sight along a migration route.
Range is a helpful clue, not a guarantee. A bird’s location may make one species more likely, but both species can appear in broad or overlapping regions. Season also matters: a Swainson’s hawk may be present during the breeding season or migration but absent from a given area for much of the year. Check local, current bird records when location is central to an identification.
Quick Field Identification
For a practical identification, begin with the strongest visible evidence and work through the rest. Avoid deciding from a single impression such as “large hawk” or “red-looking tail.”
- Check the tail. A clearly reddish upper tail on an adult strongly favors red-tailed hawk. A banded, gray-brown tail is more consistent with Swainson’s hawk.
- Compare the wings. A broad, sturdy outline often suits red-tailed hawk; a more elongated, slimmer outline can favor Swainson’s hawk.
- Look at the underside. A belly band and dark leading-edge marks can support red-tailed hawk. A dark chest contrasting with a pale belly can support Swainson’s hawk.
- Use context. Consider habitat, season, and whether the bird is migrating, but treat these as supporting clues rather than proof.
- Allow for uncertainty. If the view is distant or the bird is young, record it as an unidentified hawk rather than forcing a species-level answer.
Binoculars can help, but observation should not disturb the bird. If you are photographing a hawk, keep a respectful distance and avoid approaching nests or repeatedly flushing a bird from a perch.
Common Misidentifications
The red-tailed hawk’s name can cause confusion: not every individual has an obvious red tail. Juveniles lack the adult tail color, and even an adult’s tail may be hard to see from below. Conversely, a warm-colored object or sunlight on feathers can make another hawk appear reddish. Confirm the shape and other markings before relying on color alone.
Another frequent error is assuming every hawk circling over a field is a red-tailed hawk. Swainson’s hawks also soar over open terrain, and their narrower appearance may be difficult to judge when they are high overhead. Observers may also confuse the two when a bird is backlit, when the wings are held at an unusual angle, or when only a few seconds of viewing are available.
Finally, flock size is not a stand-alone identification feature. Swainson’s hawks are known to gather during migration, but a group of soaring raptors should still be identified by visible marks and seasonal context. Other species may join a flight or be present in the same area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, a Swainson’s hawk or a red-tailed hawk?
Red-tailed hawks are generally the more robust-looking bird, while Swainson’s hawks often look slimmer and longer-winged. Apparent size depends on distance, posture, and viewing angle, so shape is often more useful than a quick size estimate.
Does every red-tailed hawk have a red tail?
No. The familiar reddish tail is an adult feature, and young birds typically have brown, banded tails. Color and light can also make the tail less obvious, so check other field marks as well.
Do Swainson’s hawks migrate?
Many do. They breed in North America and migrate to South America for the nonbreeding season. The exact timing and routes depend on location and conditions, so sightings vary by season.
How can I tell them apart while they are flying?
Look for a combination of tail pattern, wing shape, and underside markings. A red tail on an adult points toward red-tailed hawk; a slimmer outline, banded tail, and contrasting wing pattern can favor Swainson’s hawk. Distant birds may not be identifiable with confidence.
Are these hawks dangerous to people?
They are wild raptors and generally avoid people. Do not approach, handle, feed, or disturb them, especially near a nest. If a bird appears injured or is in immediate danger, seek guidance from the appropriate local wildlife authority rather than attempting to capture it.
Which Hawk Are You Seeing?
Start with the tail, then check the wings and underside, and finally consider habitat and season. A reddish adult tail is a strong red-tailed hawk clue; a banded tail and a slimmer, long-winged silhouette may point to Swainson’s hawk. Because both species vary and young birds lack some adult marks, a cautious identification is often the most accurate one.