Hook-billed Kite
Chondrohierax uncinatus
Widespread raptor of tropical America, occasionally reaching as far north as southern Texas. It can be identified in all plumages by its fiercely hooked bill and yellow or orange spots on face and bill. In flight, note the blunt, bulbous wings, strongly barred flight feathers, and broad tail bands. Male is mostly gray with faint white or tan barring on the underparts. Female has a brown collar and brown and white barred underparts; the pattern and color vary somewhat throughout its range. Juvenile is mostly white below with very sparse barring. Common call is a quick, shrill cackle. Inhabits both dry and humid forest at all but the highest elevations, and often seen soaring with other raptors or vultures.
识别特征
It is a mid-sized, slender raptor with an invariably striped belly and banded tail but there is probably more individual variation in color and in size of bill than in any other species of diurnal raptor. Birds from beneath can look blackish or gray (especially males) and brown or brick-red (females) variously. This renders species identification at times extremely difficult. The downcurved hook at the tip of the beak is apparent on perched and low-flying birds. Weight can range from 215 to 397 g (7.6 to 14.0 oz) and length is 38–51 cm (15–20 in).
分类信息
The critically endangered Cuban kite (C. wilsonii) is considered by some authors to be a subspecies of the hook-billed kite.
- 学名
- Chondrohierax uncinatus
- 命名信息
- (Temminck, 1822)
- 目
- Accipitriformes
- 科
- Accipitridae
- 属
- Chondrohierax
分布与栖息地
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
Tree snails (e.g. Bulimulus, Homolanyx, and Polymita) are a vital component of the hook-billed kite’s diet. The density of their population within a region is proportional to the presence of tree snails. It has also been observed that the beak of the hook-billed kite has adapted in size and shape between different regions of their territory in response to the species of tree snail available to them. However, terrestrial snails (e.g. Strophocheilus), aquatic snails (e.g. Pomacea), frogs, salamanders, lizards, small mammals, crabs, spiders, caterpillars, and insects are also taken. It supposedly also hunts other birds, but this seems unlikely. When it finds a tree snail it holds it with its talon and uses its beak to pry open the shell.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Small parakeet with a long pointed tail, prominent white eyerings, and a short pale bill. The body is green, with a distinctive yellow border separating the darker flight feathers from the paler inner wings. Usually seen in noisy groups in savanna woodlands, often venturing into urban areas.
Andean Solitaire
Myadestes ralloides
Small thrush found in Andean cloud forest from 1,000–2,500 m. Nondescript plumage, generally rufous above and gray below with few notable field marks. Sexes alike. What it lacks in bold markings, it makes up for with a gorgeous voice: listen for short ethereal flutelike phrases, usually given in a long leisurely series. Usually fairly common by voice but difficult to see, often remaining on one perch for long periods of time. Most reliably seen visiting a fruiting tree.
Moustached Turca
Pteroptochos megapodius
Fairly common; seen more readily than other large tapaculos. Like huet-huets, loud calls often draw attention. Found in matorral and other native scrub on hillsides and rocky slopes. Often perches on rocks or runs along roadsides, tail cocked strongly. Besides its large, “fat” size and shape, note big white “mustaches,” solidly brownish breast, and boldly barred belly. Compare with smaller and longer-tailed White-throated Tapaculo, which is often in the same areas.
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