Alaska and nw Canada, south through central and southern Canada, U.S., West Indies and Central America to Panama. The tail has broad gray bars. Eyes are red. Immatures are dark brown above and pale below with heavy streaking.
Eyes are yellow.
The bird is named because its tarsi are thin and flat. Seldom flies above canopy. A specialized hunter, that in addition to some silent perched feeding attacks, often catches its avian prey by sudden rapid bursts of speed along woodland routes, plucking the surprised bird from its perch within a tree or bush. Other food includes small mammals, frogs, lizards and insects. This hawk often has specified feeding posts, usually near its nest.