Habitat: This species can be found in open or partially wooded or forested areas. Distribution: This hawk species was reported from Florida and Mexico to northern Argentina and southern Brazil. Natural History Notes: The short-tailed hawk is almost always seen in flight. It will prey on small birds. So far, this species has not shown evidence of migration. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). Characteristics: The total length of this species is around 40 cm (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). There are two plumage phases (light and dark) for the adults, where most of them are in the light phase. This Light phase consists in a light black coloration on the above and on the neck as well as on the sides of the head. A small patch is present on the forehead and the rest of the underparts are white. The tail is dark-gray colored with gray stripes. The underpart of the wings are usually white with gray bands on the flight feathers. During the Dark phase, the adult is entirely black except for the white forehead. The tail has the same coloration pattern as in the Light phase. The part under the wings is black and contrasts with the white flight feathers.