The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus), also known as the Mexican Goshawk, is a medium-sized raptor found from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America. Adults display a uniform pale gray plumage with fine white barring on the underparts and a distinct black-and-white banded tail. Juveniles differ by exhibiting brown, streaky feathers. birdsoftheworld.org+7The Peregrine Fund+7All About Birds+7eBird
These hawks inhabit various environments, including open thorn-scrub, savannas, and tropical forest edges. They predominantly prey on lizards and snakes but also consume small mammals, birds, and frogs. Their hunting strategy typically involves perching openly and swooping down on prey. birdsoftheworld.orgWikipedia
In terms of taxonomy, the Gray Hawk was previously classified alongside the Gray-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus), but they have since been recognized as separate species. Birds of North America+4The Peregrine Fund+4ResearchGate+4
While the Gray Hawk is not native to Taiwan, the island is home to the Gray-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus), a migratory raptor that passes through during its seasonal movements. BirdForum
灰鷹（Buteo plagiatus），亦稱墨西哥鷹，是一種中型猛禽，分佈範圍從美國西南部延伸至墨西哥和中美洲。 成鳥全身呈均勻的淡灰色，腹部有細緻的白色橫紋，尾部則具有明顯的黑白相間條紋。 幼鳥則呈現棕色，羽毛帶有斑駁的條紋。
這些鷹棲息於多種環境，包括開闊的荊棘叢林、稀樹草原和熱帶森林邊緣。 牠們主要以蜥蜴和蛇為食，但也捕食小型哺乳動物、鳥類和青蛙。 牠們通常採取開放式高棲位，從高處俯衝捕捉獵物。
在分類學上，灰鷹曾與灰線鷹（Buteo nitidus）被視為同一物種，但現已被認定為獨立的物種。
雖然灰鷹並非台灣的原生物種，但台灣是灰面鵟鷹（Butastur indicus）的遷徙路線之一，這種猛禽在季節性遷徙期間會經過台灣。
