Common Black-Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinusOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae)

Overview

Common Black-Hawk: Large hawk, nearly all black with white patch just behind bill. Bill, legs and feet are bright orange-yellow. The tail is black with single, thick white band across the middle and a thin, white tip. Alternates deep steady wing beats with short to long glides. Soars on thermals.

Range and Habitat

Common Black-Hawk: Found in southwestern U.S., throughout Mexico, Central America, and northern South America to Guyana. Inhabit coastal lowlands of mixed savannah, dunes, ponds, lagoons and grasslands.

Listen:

Voice Text

"ka-a-a-ah, ka-a-a-ah"

Common Black-Hawk

● Song: "ka-a-a-ah, ka-a-a-ah"

● Foraging & Feeding: Common Black-Hawk: Feeds on snakes, frogs, fish, young birds, and land crabs; may supplement diet with insects.

● Breeding & nesting: Common Black-Hawk: One to three white eggs, sometimes marked with brown, are laid in nest made of dry sticks and mistletoe. Nest is usually built within 500 feet of permanent flowing water and is typically constructed 60 to 120 feet above the ground. Incubation lasts for 38 to 39 days and is carried out both parents.

● Similar species: Common Black-Hawk: Great Black Hawk is longer-legged and stockier, with white on upper-tail coverts. Zone-tailed Hawk has paler underwings and two thick white bands on tail.

Flight Pattern

Soars on thermals., Alternates between strong flapping flight and gliding.

● Range & Habitat: Common Black-Hawk: Found in southwestern U.S., throughout Mexico, Central America, and northern South America to Guyana. Inhabit coastal lowlands of mixed savannah, dunes, ponds, lagoons and grasslands.

^BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester

^PopulationRare

^MigrationSome migrate

^Weight25.6 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America