Alternative name: Grey-lined Hawk
Includes Mexican Goshawk
- Buteo nitidus
Identification
Adults are generally easily recognized by the gray-and-white barred underparts and broadly white-banded black tail.
Distribution
Found in the lowlands of the SE U.S. to N. Argentina and Brazil. Northern range occupied by plagiatus: SE U.S. through Mexico and N. Central America, south to NW Costa Rica. Other races found from SW Costa Rica, through Panama and most of lowland N. and C. South America, as far south as SW Ecuador on the Pacific coast and N. Argentina east of the Andes.
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.
Behavior
Feeds on a wide range of small animals, mostly reptiles, but also birds, rodents and insects.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
- B. n. plagiatus - Larger, darker and with more uniform upperparts than the following.
- B. n. costaricensis
- B. n. nitidus - Nominate race.
- B. n. pallidus
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 concensus.
Status of Mexican Goshawk plagiatus
With no rationale published, elevation to species status was proposed by Sibley & Monroe (1990). Deferring to Hellmayr & Conover (1949)'s rationale of conspecific treatment, Riesing et al. (2003), Howard & Moore (2003), and Clements (2007) do not recognize plagiatus as a full species, and the Opus follows in this consensus.
