Hawaiian Hawk

Buteo solitarius

A medium-sized, compact hawk with broad wings. It is the only resident hawk in Hawaii and occurs only on Hawaii Island. Raptors seen on other islands are migrants. Coloration varies from all dark to white below and dark above. Occurs in dense forest, forest edge, and plantations. Hunts birds, rodents, and large insects among trees and on the ground. Sometimes soars high above the forest canopy. Call is a high, descending “Keeer.”

Identification

The Hawaiian hawk measures approximately 40 to 46 centimetres (16 to 18 in) in length. The female, which weighs 605 g (21.3 oz) on average, is larger than the male, which averages 441 g (15.6 oz). Two color phases exist: a dark phase (dark brown head, breast, and underwings), and a light color phase (dark head, light breast and light underwings). Feet and legs are yellowish in adults and greenish in juveniles. During breeding season one of the pair, possibly the female, has a distinctive yellow forecap area just above the upper mandible.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Buteo solitarius
Authority
Peale, 1849
Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Buteo

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Small heron of wet and open grassy areas such as flooded meadows and paddy fields. Uniformly bright rufous upperparts of adult male unmistakable. Female and juvenile have pale streaked belly, dark streaks and spots scattered on the wings and back, and are dark brown with some rufous tones above. Females often have light spotting on the wings, potentially causing confusion with female Schrenck's Bittern, which has brighter and more solid white spots and a prominent dark crown lacking in Cinnamon. Gives dry croaking clicks.

Glaucous-winged Gull

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Mussau Triller

Mussau Triller

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