STATUS: Rare.
HABITAT: A tropical species that barely reaches the United States in Florida, this buteo is found primarily in mixed woodland-savannah habitats, but also in mangrove and baldcypress swamps adjacent to forests, and along streams and the borders of lakes. Often perches in tall trees.
NEST: Nests in the topmost branches of tupelos, pines, magnolias, or baldcypresses, from 40 to 100 feet above ground or in the top of mangroves.
FOOD: Feeds on a great variety of birds, but primarily meadowlarks and red-winged blackbirds. Also feeds on some small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
REFERENCES: Heintzelman 1979, Ogden 1974, Ogden in Farrand 1983a, Sprunt 1955, Terres 1980.