SWAINSON'S HAWK

Swainson's Hawks are a very rare nesting raptor on the Navajo Nation. They are closely related, but slightly smaller than the more-common Red-tailed Hawk. Swainson's Hawk breed in central and western U.S. and Canada and migrate to South America for winter. This is likely the longest migrating bird-of-prey in North America. This hawk nests in open deserts, grasslands and prairies. Their diet varies greatly from rabbits and small mammals to reptiles, amphibians and other birds. They are also well-known to feed on a large variety of insects like locusts and grasshoppers.