From Opus

Photo by gatafrancesca
Locality: Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Buteo plagiatus

[edit] Identification

Adults are generally easily recognized by the gray-and-white barred underparts and broadly white-banded black tail.

[edit] Distribution

Found from southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas through Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica where this form is found in large parts of the Caribbean lowlands and south to at least Jaco on the Pacific side.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly considerd conspecific with Gray-lined Hawk.

[edit] Asturina vs. Buteo

Formerly placed in the monotypic genus Asturina. Riesing et al. (2003) presented genetic data indicating that Asturina is nested within Buteo. This reclassification is supported by virtually all authorities since then: Banks et al. (2006), AOU (2006 supplement), Clements (2007), SACC (2006). The Opus follows in this consensus.

[edit] Habitat

Woodland and forest, but sometimes in more open habitats with scattered trees. Mainly in lowlands, but locally up to 1800 m (5900 ft). Generally fairly common, but rarer in its limited US range.

[edit] Behavior

Feeds on a wide range of small animals, mostly reptiles, but also birds, rodents and insects.

[edit] References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2012. IOC World Bird Names (version 3.2). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
3. Birdforum thread discussing the taxonomy of Gray Hawk
4. Birdforum thread discussing AOU proposals including one to split Gray Hawk in two parts

• List of references

[edit] External Links