Long-tailed Hawk
Urotriorchis macrourus
An aptly named hawk of lowland African forest, identifiable by its distinctive profile as it flies through open areas. This species’ long, black-and-white striped tail contrasts with its white vent and rump. Also shows a slate-gray back and head, solid rufous underparts, and a white throat. The rare dark morph appears blacker above, with slate-colored underparts. Gives a loud scream, one second long, that falls in pitch toward the end, often followed by a second, louder scream. Overlaps with the smaller Red-chested Goshawk, but note the disproportionately long tail.
Identification
The long-tailed hawk is a distinctively shaped raptor with a very noticeable long, barred tail and is dark grey on its upperparts and chestnut on its underparts with a contrasting white throat and undertail coverts. In flight the white flight feathers on the underwing are heavily barred with dark grey. There is a rare morph which has a grey breast, with a paler grey throat but still has the white undertail coverts. The bill is black, the eyes, cere, legs and feet are yellow. Juveniles are browner, with a white-breasted "plain" morph and a "marked" morph which has the breast streaked with brown. It has a wingspan of 81–90 centimetres (32–35 in) and a total length of 56–65 centimetres (22–26 in), including the tail of 30–37 centimetres (12–15 in). Females are about 15% larger than males. Since the tail comprises about 56% of this raptor's total length, this species ties with the cinereous harrier as the raptor with the longest tail relative to its body size.<p>It is a rather vocal bird which is often first detected by the long drawn out screech given by birds perched in the canopy.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Urotriorchis macrourus
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1855)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Urotriorchis
Range and habitat
The long-tailed hawk occurs in the tropical rainforests of western and central Africa, from Guinea in the west, along the Gulf of Guinea coast south to northern Angola, east to the southern Central African Republic, northern Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and western Uganda.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ashy-throated Parrotbill
Suthora alphonsiana
A small long-tailed bird with vaguely unnerving pale eyes. Dark gray-brown overall with a bright rusty-orange crown and wings. Similar to Vinous-throated and Brown-winged parrotbills but much grayer and darker overall; has the most limited warm tones of the three. Fairly common in lowlands and foothills, where it can be found in broadleaved forests, bamboo stands, and adjoining secondary growth and scrubby edges.
Sandy Gallito
Teledromas fuscus
Plain brown thrush-sized bird of the Monte desert region of western Argentina. Note shorter, thicker bill than canasteros, miners and thornbirds. Tail generally held cocked upward. Generally terrestrial or in ground-level vegetation, individually or in pairs.
Westland Petrel
Procellaria westlandica
Rather large, wholly dark petrel. Breeds in New Zealand and ranges across the temperate South Pacific to Chile, where it is uncommon to locally fairly common in the Humboldt Current and fjords. Often found with much commoner, but very similar White-chinned Petrel and is not easily identified unless distinct black bill tip of Westland can be seen (White-chinned has pale bill tip). Slightly smaller Parkinson’s Petrel looks very similar to Westland, but favors warmer tropical and subtropical waters and has a smaller, more rounded head and slightly slimmer bill.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.