LUCI
Species: Buteo swainsoni, Swainson’s Hawk • Hatched: Unknown • Gender: Female
Luci was a rehabilitated, but non-releasable, female Swainson’s Hawk who came to the American Eagle Foundation from another facility. She performed in the ‘Wings of America’ birds of prey show at Dolywood Entertainment Park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Luci passed away in 2013.
ABOUT THIS SPECIES
The Swainson’s hawk is named after British naturalist, William Swainson. It is sometimes called the “Grasshopper Hawk” or the “Locust Hawk” because of the number of these insects they consume.
In the spring and summer it can be found in North America, but it winters in South America. It probably migrates a greater distance than any other North American raptor, traveling a distance of up to 14,000 miles and taking 2 months to complete!