Common Black Hawk - BirdForum Opus

Photo by bobsofpa
Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA, March 2004

Buteogallus anthracinus

Includes: Cuban Black Hawk

Identification

Length 50-58cm (20-23"), wingspan 122-127cm (48-50")
As the name implies, this is a very dark hawk; dark brown to almost black, with a yellow bill tipped in black, and some white spotting on the base of the primary flight feathers, and at the tip of the tail. In its limited US range, it is most easily identified by chunky shape and broad white band crossing middle of tail. Further south compare the Great Black Hawk and the rare Solitary Eagle.

Cuban Black Hawk
Photo by mrmike
Cuba, January 2007

Distribution

Found in coastal regions of northern and north-western South America, incl. Trinidad & Tobago, north through Central America and Mexico, to southernmost USA (Arizona and Texas). Generally resident, but some local movements, and only a summer visitor to south-eastern Arizona. Also seen along border section of Rio Grande River, notably in Big Bend NP, in winter. Very rare visitor to lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. A resident population also occurs on Cuba.

Conservation Status

Overall common and widespread. In its limited US range it is rare and local, with an estimated 250 breeding pairs remaining.

Taxonomy

Recent evidence strongly suggests that the population on Cuba should be considered a separate species, the Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii). On the contrary, recent evidence strongly suggests that the Mangrove Black Hawk should be considered a subspecies, B. anthracinus subtilis, of the Common Black Hawk; this lump has already been accepted by Clements.

Photo by Steve G
Arima Valley, Northern Trinidad, May 2006

Subspecies^[1]

• B. a. anthracinus:

• South-western US to northern South America, St. Vincent and Trinidad

• B. a. utilensis:

• Cancún, Cozumel Island and islands in Gulf of Honduras

• B. a. rhizophorae:

• Pacific coast of El Salvador and Honduras

• B. a. bangsi:

• Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama; Pearl Islands

• B. a. subtilis:

• Pacific coast of Colombia, Ecuador and extreme northern Peru

Habitat

Wide range of wooded habitats, especially in coastal areas. In the northernmost parts of its range, nests most commonly in cottonwood trees in riparian areas.

Behaviour

Gentle and lethargic except while nesting, when it often drops out of the skies from great height.

Breeding

Will abandon nest if disturbed too much.

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