Imitator Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza imitator
A medium-sized black-and-white sparrowhawk with an entirely black back, chest, and hood and a white underside. Prefers dense forest interiors up to 1000 meters of elevation. Very similar to Pied Goshawk, but prefers less open habitats and has a black throat. In flight, Imitator Sparrowhawk has a thick dark rear edge to the underwing, compared to Pied Goshawk’s relatively white underwing. Imitator’s voice is relatively poorly known, but apparently vocally similar to other goshawks; a series of loud piercing whistles has been reported.
Identification
A medium-sized black-and-white sparrowhawk with an entirely black back, chest, and hood and a white underside. Prefers dense forest interiors up to 1000 meters of elevation. Very similar to Pied Goshawk, but prefers less open habitats and has a black throat. In flight, Imitator Sparrowhawk has a thick dark rear edge to the underwing, compared to Pied Goshawk’s relatively white underwing. Imitator’s voice is relatively poorly known, but apparently vocally similar to other goshawks; a series of loud piercing whistles has been reported.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tachyspiza imitator
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1926
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Tachyspiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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