Distribution: This species breeds in western North America and migrate south in South America, passing through Middle America. Natural History Notes: Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 19 inches and 22 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). This Buteo species is fairly large and has broad wings. The plumage will differ between the Pale phase and the Dark phase. During the Phase phase, the part above is pale brown and the part below is whitish but usually shows a large brown band across the chest. The throat is white and the tail is brown-gray but with several black bands. When it flies, you can distinguish the cream colored under wing-coverts, which contrasts with the black flight feathers. During the Dark phase, the plumage is generally brown.