Swainson’s Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
Swainson’s hawks are nongame birds that occur at all elevations. Their diet consists of many crop eating insects, as well as small mammals and birds. The population trend appears stable. Nest territories are utilized between 4-20 and 6-25. Active nests require a 0.5 mile radius buffer zone protected from human disturbance. Junipers and cottonwoods are the preferred nesting trees. Eggs incubate for 28-35 days and chicks fledge 30 days following hatching. Migration out of Utah occurs in August.
