The BROADWING is a common altho locally distributed Hawk, partial to deep woods. It will remain motionless for hours, apparently asleep, in reality wide awake — for the least movement of a prospective victim in the brush below will send him from his perch like an arrow. He is more silent and more fond of solitude than other Hawks. His call is much weaker, closely resembling that of the Wood Pewee but louder, higher-pitched and with the last note short and less plaintive than the notes of the Flycatcher and having a certain ventriloquistic quality which makes it difficult to judge the distance of the author.
As far as my experience goes it seems to be a beneficial and harmless species, confining its food to small animals, frogs, mice, etc. etc., and seldom molesting the farmer's chickens. Agriculturists with whom I have talked do not always share this view but then it is difficult to eradicate an idea as firmly intrenched as the belief that all Hawks are demons!
Eastern North America from British Provinces south to Gulf Coast and central Texas. Rare west of Mississippi.