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| − | [[Image:White-tailed_Hawk.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:White-tailed_Hawk.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Pale morph<br />Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Near the [[Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR]], SE [[Texas]], August 2004]] |
| − | <br />Near the [[Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR]], | ||
;[[:Category:Buteo|Buteo]] albicaudatus | ;[[:Category:Buteo|Buteo]] albicaudatus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
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'''Juveniles''' are mainly blackish with variable whitish markings on the underparts and head. | '''Juveniles''' are mainly blackish with variable whitish markings on the underparts and head. | ||
| + | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
South-eastern [[Texas]], through [[Central America]], and most of [[South America]] east of the Andes as far south as central [[Argentina]]. It is absent from densely forested regions (e.g. most of the Amazon). | South-eastern [[Texas]], through [[Central America]], and most of [[South America]] east of the Andes as far south as central [[Argentina]]. It is absent from densely forested regions (e.g. most of the Amazon). | ||
| + | [[Image:WTHawk8211.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Pale morph<br />Photo by {{user|Peacefrog2|Peacefrog2}}<br />Needville, SE [[Texas]], February 2005]] | ||
[[Image:White-tailed_Hawk_by_Deca.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Pale morph<br />Photo by {{user|Deca|Deca}}<br />Gonçalves, MG, [[Brazil]], September 2004]] | [[Image:White-tailed_Hawk_by_Deca.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Pale morph<br />Photo by {{user|Deca|Deca}}<br />Gonçalves, MG, [[Brazil]], September 2004]] | ||
| + | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
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There has been a proposal to treat this species and [[Variable Hawk]] as a superspecies<sup>[[#References|3]]</sup>. | There has been a proposal to treat this species and [[Variable Hawk]] as a superspecies<sup>[[#References|3]]</sup>. | ||
| − | [[Image:WhiteTailedHawk_by_onlybill.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:WhiteTailedHawk_by_onlybill.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|onlybill|onlybill}}<br />[[Brazoria NWR]], [[Texas]], August 2008]] |
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Open or semi-open habitats. | + | Open or semi-open habitats, grasslands. |
| + | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | The White-tailed Hawk in active flight has slower wing beats that most other North American Buteos. When soaring and to some extent when gliding, wings are held above horizontal. This species is also able to "kite", i.e., staying | + | The White-tailed Hawk in active flight has slower wing beats that most other North American Buteos. When soaring and to some extent when gliding, wings are held above horizontal. This species is also able to "kite", i.e., staying airborne against the wind without flapping. |
Seems to spend a lot of time keeping its feathers in good shape (preening). | Seems to spend a lot of time keeping its feathers in good shape (preening). | ||
| + | |||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
It feeds on insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians or even smaller birds. Some of its prey might be caught while the bird is walking on the ground. Can be seen near roads, where, like the [[Southern Caracara]] (''Caracara plancus''), it waits for road-killed prey. | It feeds on insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians or even smaller birds. Some of its prey might be caught while the bird is walking on the ground. Can be seen near roads, where, like the [[Southern Caracara]] (''Caracara plancus''), it waits for road-killed prey. | ||
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====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | In North America during the first months of the year, with territoriality starting before new year, but timing obviously differ in different parts of its large range. Nest is placed in top of a bush or large cactus, only a few meters above ground, frequently in relatively open areas within the territory. Nesting often results in two | + | In North America during the first months of the year, with territoriality starting before new year, but timing obviously differ in different parts of its large range. Nest is placed in top of a bush or large cactus, only a few meters above ground, frequently in relatively open areas within the territory. Nesting often results in two hatchlings, hatched asynchronously. In years with poor food availability, the older hatchling is more likely to survive. One brood per year, but if first set of eggs lost, may re-nest. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 48: | Line 53: | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Buteo+albicaudatus}} | {{GSearch|Buteo+albicaudatus}} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Buteo]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Buteo]] | ||
Revision as of 20:49, 26 May 2013
- Buteo albicaudatus
Identification
A bulky hawk with a short white tail with a black sub-terminal band.
The common pale morph has white underparts and rump, dark gray back and rusty-colored shoulder patches. The rarer dark morph is, except for the tail, almost entirely brownish-black.
Juveniles are mainly blackish with variable whitish markings on the underparts and head.
Distribution
South-eastern Texas, through Central America, and most of South America east of the Andes as far south as central Argentina. It is absent from densely forested regions (e.g. most of the Amazon).
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized1:
- B. a. hypospodius:
- B. a. colonus:
- Netherlands Antilles, northern South America and Amazon basin
- B. a. albicaudatus:
Avibase2 mentions one additional subspecies sennetti?
There has been a proposal to treat this species and Variable Hawk as a superspecies3.
Habitat
Open or semi-open habitats, grasslands.
Behaviour
The White-tailed Hawk in active flight has slower wing beats that most other North American Buteos. When soaring and to some extent when gliding, wings are held above horizontal. This species is also able to "kite", i.e., staying airborne against the wind without flapping.
Seems to spend a lot of time keeping its feathers in good shape (preening).
Diet
It feeds on insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians or even smaller birds. Some of its prey might be caught while the bird is walking on the ground. Can be seen near roads, where, like the Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus), it waits for road-killed prey.
Vocalization
The primary calls of adult birds are best described as alarm calls, given if an intruder is noticed within territory or approaching the nest. The two sexes give slightly different versions of this call, described as "aaaa, ke-HAK, ke-HAK, ke-HAK" for males and "aaaa, KUT-uh, KUT-uh, KUT-uh" for females. This call can also be given outside breeding season, indicating that territories might be defended year round.
Breeding
In North America during the first months of the year, with territoriality starting before new year, but timing obviously differ in different parts of its large range. Nest is placed in top of a bush or large cactus, only a few meters above ground, frequently in relatively open areas within the territory. Nesting often results in two hatchlings, hatched asynchronously. In years with poor food availability, the older hatchling is more likely to survive. One brood per year, but if first set of eggs lost, may re-nest.
References
- 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
- Avibase
- SACC note for Buteo albicaudatus read in August 2008
- Birds of North America online
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-tailed Hawk. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-tailed_Hawk
