From Opus

Spizaetus tyrannus

Photo by JorgePeru
National Reserve Pacaya Samiria, Iquitos, Peru, July 2007

[edit] Identification

In flight, the impression is dominated by the strong barring on wings and tail. The flight feathers near the body are shorter than those further out on the wing, making the jizz somethat butterfly-like.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by Peter R. Bono
Along Manu Road, above Pilcopata (760m), Peru, August 2008

From Mexico through Central America to Trinidad, Brazil and Argentina. Avoids larger mountains and in South America mostly east of the Andes.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

Two subspecies are recognized:

• S. t. serus:

• Forests of southern Mexico to north-eastern Argentina and Brazil; winters in Trinidad

• S. t. tyrannus:

• Eastern and southern Brazil to extreme north-eastern Argentina (Misiones)

[edit] Habitat

Humid lowland forest.

[edit] Behaviour

Mostly seen when soaring, often high above the canopy; sometimes gives its characteristic call when soaring.

[edit] Diet

Hunts from perches, from which it catches mammals and birds.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• Arthur Grosset's Birds