Cuban Black Hawk
Buteogallus gundlachii
A large, broad-winged hawk of forests. Body of adult is entirely dark brown to black. Differs from perched vultures in having feathered head plus yellow bill and legs. Best distinguished in flight by bold white patches near end of wings and by its large size. Immature is brown above and streaked below; somewhat resembles immature Broad-winged and Red-tailed Hawks. When perched, immature is most easily told from Red-tailed Hawk by its boldly patterned head. In flight, note the Cuban Black Hawk's much broader wings and shorter tail.. Call is a loud, squeaky “weet-WEET-whew” or “weet-WEET-whew-puh;” also gives a harsh scream.
Identification
The species has an average body length of 53 cm (21 in). The plumage is mainly dark brown verging on black. A lighter greyish or whitish patch may be present on the face between the bill and the eye. White patches at the base of the primary flight feathers are visible in flight. The tail is striped with wide black and white bands. The legs are yellow and the bill is yellow tipped in black. Generally, females tend to be slightly larger in size than males.
Taxonomy
German ornithologist Jean Cabanis described the Cuban black hawk in 1855. It was considered by most authorities to be a subspecies of the Mangrove Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), although aspects of its behavior were little studied. However, in 2007, the American Ornithologists' Union classified it as a separate species based on differing vocalizations and plumage patterns.<p>It is one of eight species in the New World genus Buteogallus.
- Scientific name
- Buteogallus gundlachii
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1855)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Buteogallus
Range and habitat
The Cuban black hawk is endemic to Cuba, where it is found primarily in coastal and mangrove regions and on Isla de la Juventud. It also occurs in wooded areas and even near mountains on the main island, and on several outlying cayes. However, the majority of its sightings are below 800 meters above sea level.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species primarily feeds on crabs and also takes small vertebrates (fish, lizards, rodents and birds). Cuban black hawks breed mainly between March and June, but may do so as early as January. Nests are built in the sub-canopy of mangrove trees and are generally made out of mangrove twigs and lined with foliage. The female hawk lays 1–2 dark-spotted eggs (42–56 mm long). The species is monogamous and forms long-term pairs.
Conservation
The species was first evaluated for the IUCN Red List in 2008 and is listed as Near Threatened. Total population size has been estimated at 15,000 birds. Numbers are suspected to be declining due to the continued degradation and draining of its habitat, which also increases fragmentation of the population.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Clark's Grebe
Aechmophorus clarkii
Large, long-necked grebe with very long, thin, yellow-orange bill. Black cap ends just above red eye, so the eye looks isolated in the white face. Long, gray body rides low in the water. Breeds on marshy lakes, where it builds a floating nest of vegetation. Mostly found on saltwater bays and open ocean in winter, but also lakes. Very similar to Western Grebe, with extensive range overlap and often in mixed flocks. Typically outnumbered by Western where they occur together. Clark’s looks paler overall, especially on the sides and face. Also look at the bill: brighter orange-yellow on Clark’s, lacking a dark lower edge. Some birds appear intermediate and should be left unidentified.
Red-headed Malimbe
Malimbus rubricollis
A striking black-and-red forest malimbe lacking a breastband in either sex. Male has red from the forehead to the upper back, with spurs creating a half-collar on the neck. Female is like the male but the forehead is black to the center of the crown. Juvenile is like the female, with a paler bill and a brown forehead. A common resident in its range, preferring the canopy of primary and secondary lowland forest, farmbush, woodland, and occasionally gardens. Forages nuthatch-style in pairs and small groups and often dangles upside down, clinging to branches and examining crevices. Vocalizations include whistles accelerating into sizzling notes “whetdoteew-dzrsrsrrrr.”
Bat Hawk
Macheiramphus alcinus
An acrobatic, swift-like raptor with angular wings and a massive gape; capable of snatching prey from the air and devouring it in a flash while still on the wing. Dark with varying amounts of white on the underside; African birds have patchy white throughout the underparts, while white is restricted to the throat and lower belly on New Guinean birds and solely to the throat in Southeast Asian birds. Inactive during the day; hunts at dawn and dusk, and occasionally into the night if light is sufficient. Generally uncommon and localized, most reliably encountered near large bat roosts in forested areas, but can also be seen over open forest, fields, and fringes of habitation.
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