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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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. | 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== |
It occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats from 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). | It occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats from 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). | ||
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==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
− | + | The White-tailed Hawk flies against the wind without flapping and usually takes sun baths, ruffling its feathers, which can somehow resemble the [[Black Vulture]] (''Coragyps atratus''). It feeds on insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians or even smaller birds. Can be seen near roads, where, like the [[Southern Caracara]] (''Caracara plancus''), it waits for roadkilled prey. | |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Buteo+albicaudatus}} | {{GSearch|Buteo+albicaudatus}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] |
Revision as of 22:03, 23 June 2007
- Buteo albicaudatus
Description
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
It occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats from 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).
Behaviour
The White-tailed Hawk flies against the wind without flapping and usually takes sun baths, ruffling its feathers, which can somehow resemble the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus). It feeds on insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians or even smaller birds. Can be seen near roads, where, like the Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus), it waits for roadkilled prey.