Hawks, Eagles, Kites (14)

Photo: L Cooper
Swallow-tailed Kite *
A fairly common summer resident, March - September, found in the wooded regions of the eastern part of the county and the Green Swamp. Usually one at a time are observed but small flocks of six or more have been reported. A truely stunning bird in flight.

White-tailed Kite
One report was from Kicco WMA in eastern Polk County during the summer of 1999. A second report in March of 2001 of two birds at the Avon Park Bombing Range may indicate nesting. A third bird was found at the Fort Green mine in January of 2005 and possibly the same bird in 2007.

Snail Kite *
A permanent resident, locally common on the lakes of eastern Polk, but absent elsewhere. Unknown in the county 10 years ago. The LWCBC of 9 was in 1997. (E)

Mississippi Kite
A rare straggler with only a couple of local records. The last one was seen at Colt Creek State Park in May 2007. Previously one was found at SCP in October 1987.

Photo: R Munguia

Bald Eagle *
Fairly common permanent resident throughout the County. This is a stronghold for a symbol of the American people. There are dozens of active nests in Polk County. Flocks of over 20 have been seen soaring high in the sky. The numbers have been growing steadily. The LCBC high count of 129 was reported in 2009, 102 in 2004 and 99 in 1999 (T)

Golden Eagle
This western species is very rarely seen in Florida. One immature bird from the Green Swamp was reported in 1992, and an adult bird was in Lakeland in 1996. On December 12, 2004 a juvenile heading south over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest was seen. They can be easily confused with immature Bald Eagles, but the white patches on the under wings are in different locations.

Northern Harrier
A common winter visitor, September through April, over the open fields of the region. The earlist date is 16 September 2000 at PPM. Winter maximum of 18 reported in November 1999. The large white rump patch separates this bird from most other hawks. The LCBC high count of 26 was in 1985.

Sharp-shinned Hawk
A fairly common winter visitor, September through March, near woods and thickets. This species has declined in numbers in recent years. Sharpies are here only in the winter season. They are almost always found singlely. The LCBC high count of 13 was in 1993.

 

Photo: L Cooper

Cooper’s Hawk *
An uncommon permanent resident of wooded parts of the County. This hawk has increased in numbers over the last few years. It’s nearly identical in shape and color to a Sharp-shinned but it has a rounded tail. A nest in suburban Winter Haven fledged one bird in 2001, and in June of 2002 two young were found. Nesting continues in 2005. Nest building starts in late February. The cooper's is the only acipiter found in Polk in the summer. The LCBC high count of 8 was in 2003, and 2006, 7 in 1997.

Photo: N March

Red-shouldered Hawk *

A common permanent resident almost always found near water. Over 10 a day can be found in the winter season. Look for wing windows to help with identification. The LWCBC high count of 53 was in 1997; LCBC 72 was in 2006, 62 in 2004 and 48 in 1997.

Broad-winged Hawk
They are rare inland in Florida. We have only a few local records, One was reported in 2005 at the 4-Corners phosphate mine and the last was December 2010 at Bridgewater (Tenoroc).

Photo: L Cooper

Short-tailed Hawk *dark morph
A rare summer resident, February through October, in eastern Polk . We get only a few records each year mostly from SCP. One was on the LWCBC in 1998 and 1999; 1 on the LCBC in 2000 and 2004.

Swainson’s Hawk
These hawks are very rarely seen in central Florida. We have four records; January 2006 near Bradley Jct, another from near Haines City on 23 April 2004, and the first one from Winter Haven in December 1980.

Red-tailed Hawk *
A common permanent resident of the open fields. Red-tails usually perches atop utility poles near roads. Twenty or more can be seen in a day in the winter season. The LCBC high count of 44 was in 1986.

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