White-Tailed Hawk

A pale, broad-winged hawk of open grassland and coastal prairie from the southern United States through Central and South America, often seen soaring on flattened wings or hovering into the wind while scanning for prey. It is well known for gathering at grassland fires to catch insects, small mammals and reptiles flushed by the flames and smoke. Open ranchland and coastal plains in clear, breezy weather are the best places to watch its soaring flight.