This rare and wary hawk is easily identified in either color phase, as it is the only hawk in the area that is pure black or pure white below. It often perches low on poles or trees near swampy areas and darts out after birds, rodents, lizards, or insects. But it also hunts from high in the air, obtaining its prey in deep and swift dives.

description 13-14" (33-36 cm). W. 35" (89 cm). A stocky, pigeon-sized hawk with two color phases. The light phase is dark above and white below; the dark phase (more common in Florida) is black above and below except for the light bases of the primaries. Both phases have banded, black-and-white tail, yellow cere, and yellow legs and feet. Immatures are like adults, but with more numerous tail bands.

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