The Swainson hawk is a type of buteo that is a long distance migrant that breeds along the west of the United States. This large predator has an average length of 19-22 inches, and a wingspan of 46-54 inches. It prefers to hunt in open areas, in habitats such as plains, farmlands, or dry grassland. Although the bird is large in size, it primarily feeds on small birds, small mammals, reptiles, and catching insects midair. In contrast, another type of buteo is called the Broadwing hawk, located in the east of the United States. The Broadwing hawk is among the smallest of buteos, with length of 13-18 inches, and a wingspan of 32-38 inches. It has a broader diet than the Swainson hawk, but it is comprised of similar items. This bird prefers to hunt from a perch, waiting for prey along woodland/forest edges and near water. Broadwings seems to prefer forests to wait for insects while the swainson will catch insects midair in the clearings. Broadwings don’t prefer to hunt on the wing, and have smaller more rounded wings. I would guess that because they do not hunt on the wing as frequently, they do not need to have large wings like the Swainson, which primarily hunts while soaring.
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