Black Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
Uncommon, spectacular, crested eagle of lowland tropical forest. Most frequently seen soaring in mid-late morning; rarely seen perched. Gives loud, far-carrying whistles while flying, which often indicate its presence. Adult is black overall with bold white checkering under the wings and bold white bands on the tail. Immatures, although rarely seen, are browner with a white throat and crown. The short bushy crest is usually apparent only on perched birds and is not seen in flight.
Identification
The black hawk-eagle is 58–70 cm (23–28 in) long and weighs about 900–1,300 grams (2-2.9 lbs). It has black plumage with varying patterns on its wings and body, and white speckling in places. It has barred wings, slightly elliptical in shape, and a long, narrow tail which is rarely fanned. The four grey bars on the tail are distinctive to the black hawk-eagle, as is the white line seen slightly above the bird's eye. While flying, the broadness and shortness of the wings become apparent. While in flight, the bird's tail is typically kept closed.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spizaetus tyrannus
- Authority
- (Wied-Neuwied, M, 1820)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Spizaetus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black hawk-eagle is a solitary bird who only ever encounter each other during a territory feud or during mating season. When they hunt down prey they look briefly atop perches for anything and if they don't find anything they fly to another perch. Upon finding prey they are taken by pouncing or tail-chasing.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-chinned Mountain Tanager
Anisognathus notabilis
Large and colorful tanager of Andean cloud forest in western Ecuador and western Colombia. Plumage is golden-yellow with a black head, blue wing patch, and yellow stripe on rear crown. Separated from the more common Blue-winged Mountain-tanager by yellow back, orange tinge to underparts, black chin, smaller crown stripe, and less blue in wing. Usually encountered in pairs or small groups that move through middle levels of the forest, often with mixed-species flocks. Visits feeders in some areas.
Karimui Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles terborghi
Little-known medium-sized owlet-nightjar restricted to the mountainous Karimui Basin of eastern Papua New Guinea. Dark gray overall with fine barring; note chevrons on breast, thick black “eyebrows” that wrap around the head, and a black crown stripe extending down between the eyes; compare with other quite differently-marked montane owlet-nightjars, such as Mountain and Feline. Vocalizations poorly known.
Eurasian Goshawk
Astur gentilis
Powerfully-built forest-dwelling hawk, scarce across wide range. Adults are distinctive if seen well: bulky and broad-winged, gray above and whitish below with dense barring, prominent pale eyebrow, and orange eye. Immature very similar to Eurasian Sparrowhawk but larger and more powerful, with a more prominent white eyebrow, heavier streaking below (Eurasian Sparrowhawk barred below), and typically streaked undertail coverts. In most suburban areas, Sparrowhawk is more likely; goshawk typically requires extensive mature forest. Very aggressive around the nest. Feeds on large prey such as hares and grouse.
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