Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is in the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,690 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Gray Hawk: observations by month (U.S.)
About Gray Hawk
The gray hawk (Buteo plagiatus) or Mexican goshawk is a smallish raptor found in open country and forest edges. It is sometimes placed in the genus Asturina as Asturina plagiata. The species was recently split by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) from the gray-lined hawk. The gray hawk is found from Costa Rica north into the southwestern United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Gray Hawk by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,435 | November | Oct–Jul |
| Arizona | 1,200 | May | Mar–Sep |
| California | 28 | December | Nov–Jan |
| New Mexico | 22 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Harrier
Mississippi Kite
Swainson's Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Gray Hawk?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Gray Hawk most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Arizona, California.