Black Hawk-Eagle - BirdForum Opus

Spizaetus tyrannus

Photo by JorgePeru
National Reserve Pacaya Samiria, Iquitos, Peru, July 2007

Identification

In flight, the impression is dominated by the strong barring on wings and tail. The flight feathers near the body are shorter than those further out on the wing, making the jizz somethat butterfly-like.

Distribution

Photo by Peter R. Bono
Along Manu Road, above Pilcopata (760m), Peru, August 2008

From Mexico through Central America to Trinidad, Brazil and Argentina. Avoids larger mountains and in South America mostly east of the Andes.

Taxonomy

Subspecies^[1]

Two subspecies are recognized:

• S. t. serus:

• Forests of southern Mexico to north-eastern Argentina and Brazil; winters in Trinidad

• S. t. tyrannus:

• Eastern and southern Brazil to extreme north-eastern Argentina (Misiones)

Habitat

Humid lowland forest.

Behaviour

Mostly seen when soaring, often high above the canopy; sometimes gives its characteristic call when soaring.

Diet

Hunts from perches, from which it catches mammals and birds.

Vocalisation

<flashmp3> Black Hawk Eagle Regua 09h58m30s01sep2008.mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Recording by Andrew Whitehouse

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black Hawk-Eagle. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Hawk-Eagle

External Links

Search for photos of Black Hawk-Eagle in the gallery

• Arthur Grosset's Birds