(taxonomy, refs, id) |
(genus change (Clements and IOC)) |
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[[Image:VARIABLE HAWK2 copy.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|lior+kislev|lior kislev}}<br /> Puno to Cusco road, [[Peru]], December 2009]] | [[Image:VARIABLE HAWK2 copy.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|lior+kislev|lior kislev}}<br /> Puno to Cusco road, [[Peru]], December 2009]] | ||
'''Alternative name: Red-backed Hawk''' | '''Alternative name: Red-backed Hawk''' | ||
− | ;[[:Category: | + | ;[[:Category:Geranoaetus|Geranoaetus]] polyosoma |
'''Includes Puna Hawk''' | '''Includes Puna Hawk''' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
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[[South America]]: found in [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]], [[Chile]], [[Argentina]], and [[Falkland Islands]];vagrant to [[Uruguay]], [[Brazil]]. | [[South America]]: found in [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]], [[Chile]], [[Argentina]], and [[Falkland Islands]];vagrant to [[Uruguay]], [[Brazil]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
− | + | Formerly placed in genus ''[[:Category:Buteo|Buteo]]'' | |
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
Two subspecies are recognized: | Two subspecies are recognized: | ||
− | * '' | + | * ''G. p. polyosoma'' - Andes of southern [[Colombia]] south to Tierra del Fuego, and [[Falkland Islands]] |
− | * '' | + | * ''G. p. exsul'' - Juan Fernadez Islands, [[Chile]] |
There is an active debate as to whether Red-backed Hawk and Puna Hawk are two species or one. Opus follows a consensus according to which it is one, Variable Hawk. | There is an active debate as to whether Red-backed Hawk and Puna Hawk are two species or one. Opus follows a consensus according to which it is one, Variable Hawk. | ||
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It nests in treetops. The nest is large and made of dry sticks. The clutch generally consists of 2 white eggs with light reddish spots. | It nests in treetops. The nest is large and made of dry sticks. The clutch generally consists of 2 white eggs with light reddish spots. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-GillDonsker14V4.3}}#Avibase |
#BF Member observations | #BF Member observations | ||
# Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156 | # Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156 | ||
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{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
− | {{GSearch|Buteo+polyosoma}} | + | {{GSearch|Buteo+polyosoma Use ''Buteo polyosoma'' to}} |
− | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category: | + | {{GSearch|Geranoaetus+polyosoma Use ''Geranoaetus polyosoma'' to}} |
+ | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Geranoaetus]] |
Revision as of 16:13, 17 August 2014
Alternative name: Red-backed Hawk
- Geranoaetus polyosoma
Includes Puna Hawk
Identification
Male: 18 - 20 in. Female: 20 - 22 in.
- White tail with black sub-terminal band but otherwise very variable in plumage
- Lacks black commas or larger black marks seen on wing underside at the wrist of most similar species
Male
- Grey back (mantle can be reddish on some individuals)
- White or dark grey underparts
Female: usually have a rufous mantle but may have either white or rufous or rufous-and-black underparts.
The wings fall short of the tip of the tail on the sitting bird in the "Red-backed" form while the "Puna" form (formerly a separate species) has wingtips that reach the tip of the tail; this seems to be the best separator of the two forms.
Distribution
South America: found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Falkland Islands;vagrant to Uruguay, Brazil.
Taxonomy
Formerly placed in genus Buteo
Subspecies[1]
Two subspecies are recognized:
- G. p. polyosoma - Andes of southern Colombia south to Tierra del Fuego, and Falkland Islands
- G. p. exsul - Juan Fernadez Islands, Chile
There is an active debate as to whether Red-backed Hawk and Puna Hawk are two species or one. Opus follows a consensus according to which it is one, Variable Hawk.
Habitat
Open areas to open forest, but most likely in areas with scrub and some trees in steep terrain. Observed at heights up to around 3000 meters in the north of its range, lower down further south. Where overlapping with Puna Hawk, the form Red-backed Hawk is normally seen at lower elevation.
Behaviour
Diet
Eats primarily mammals but with a significant amount of insects and some birds.
Breeding
It nests in treetops. The nest is large and made of dry sticks. The clutch generally consists of 2 white eggs with light reddish spots.
References
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2014. IOC World Bird Names (version 4.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Avibase
- BF Member observations
- Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156
- Birdforum thread mentioning several taxonomic proposals, of which 460 is relevant here
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Variable Hawk. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Variable_Hawk