White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) is in the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,974 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph White-tailed Hawk: observations by month (U.S.)
About White-tailed Hawk
The white-tailed hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) is a large bird of prey species found in tropical or subtropical environments across the Americas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
White-tailed Hawk by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,943 | December | Oct–May |
| Louisiana | 25 | November | Sep–Jan |
| Alabama | 5 | January | Jan–Jan |
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 White-tailed Hawk?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from October to May.
Where is White-tailed Hawk most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama.