THE SWAINSON'S HAWK IS ONE OF 3 HAWKS WE SEE IN COLORADO ON A FREQUENT BASIS. THEY SUMMER IN COLORADO, BUT THEY MIGRATE DURING THE WINTER. IN FACT, THEY ARE THE LONGEST MIGRATING BIRD OF PREY THAT WE KNOW OF. THEY SUMMER IN ARGENTINA! ...OVER A 2,000 MILE TRIP. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS ARE A VERY DARK HEAD AND UPPER CHEST, VERY LIGHT BODY AND INNER WING AREA THAT IS SURROUNDED BY A DARK OUTLINE.
A SWAINSON'S USUALLY PERCHES ON THE HIGH T-PERCH ABOUT 20 YARDS TO THE NORTH OF THIS CACHE'S HIDING PLACE. AGAIN, PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE IF IT IS THERE, COME BACK SOME OTHER TIME.
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGED OF WORKING WITH TWO SWAINSON'S. THEY ARE WONDERFUL HAWKS. THEY HELP CONTROL THE PRAIRIE DOG POPULATION, AS WELL AS FEED ON OTHER SMALL RODENTS.
***NOTE: THE SWAINSON'S HAVE STARTED THEIR MIGRATION FOR THE WINTER, SO YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT SEE THEM ANY MORE THIS WINTER. BUT STAY TUNED, SPRING WILL BE COMING AROUND SOON! IF YOU SEE A HAWK ON THIS PERCH IT IS PROBABLY A RED TAIL - THEY USE IT AS WELL.