The Feather Files
Name: Swainson’s Hawk
Species: Buteo swainsoni
Native to and Migration: In fall they fly to their Argentine wintering grounds in one of the longest migrations of any raptor. They form flocks of hundreds or thousands as they travel.
Date Seen: August 30, 2018
Location: North of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Notes: These birds prefer to live on prairies, plains, and other wide-open ranges with minimal tree cover. They are commonly seen perched on poles or fence posts.