Field Marks: 21 in. A common, medium-sized hawk of open western lands. In flight, shows profile like that of Turkey Vulture, with wings frequently held in shallow V. Highly migratory; often seen in large flocks on spring and fall flights. Feeds mostly on crickets and grasshoppers. Plumage highly variable on both sexes. Typical light-phase adults brown above with reddish hood; mostly white chin, belly, and wing linings that contrast with darker flight feathers; tail indistinctly barred with dark band near tip. Typical dark phase adults all-brown with little contrast on underwing; tail as in light phase. Intermediate phases often show hood. Dark-phase immatures similar to adults; light-phase immatures dark brown above with variable white markings; buffy white below, often with partial dark hood or breast collar and spots on belly. A descending scream, "keeeer", trailing off at end.
Range: Breeds from s. Alaska to Mexico, mainly in the West and on the Great Plains. May wander east to Great Lakes and Atlantic Coast. Winters in South America.
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