(Main picture changed. Photos of Juvenile & flight added. References) |
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'''Alternative name: Variable Hawk''' | '''Alternative name: Variable Hawk''' | ||
;[[:Category:Buteo|Buteo]] polyosoma | ;[[:Category:Buteo|Buteo]] polyosoma | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:VARIABLE HAWK2 copy.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|lior+kislev|lior kislev}}<br /> Puno to Cusco road, [[Peru]], December 2009]] |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | Male: 18 - 20 in. Female: 20 - 22 in. | |
| + | *White tail with black sub-terminal band<br /> | ||
| + | '''Male''' | ||
| + | *Grey back | ||
| + | *Grey or white underparts<br /> | ||
| + | '''Female''': usually have a rufous back but may have either white or rufous underparts. | ||
| + | [[Image:18681YoungRedBack.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|zweiblumen|zweiblumen}}<br />Cape Pembroke, [[Falkland Islands]], April 2004]] | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[South America]]: found in [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]], [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]], [[Chile]], [[Argentina]] and [[Falkland Islands]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | |
| − | * ''B. p. polyosoma'' - Andes of southern [[Colombia]] south to Tierra del Fuego, and [[Falkland Islands]] | + | Two subspecies are recognized: |
| + | * ''B. p. polyosoma'' - Andes of southern [[Colombia]] south to Tierra del Fuego, and [[Falkland Islands]] | ||
* ''B. p. exsul'' - Juan Fernadez Islands, [[Chile]] | * ''B. p. exsul'' - Juan Fernadez Islands, [[Chile]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. | + | Temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. Observed at heights around 3000 meters |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
| + | [[Image:10884IMG 9491 Buteo polyosoma.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|BirdsPeru|BirdsPeru}}<br />High Andes, Lima, [[Peru]], November 2006 ]] | ||
This bird catches its prey on the wing, and eats mammals, birds, reptiles and snails. It likes to sit on the highest branches of trees or edges of ravines. | This bird catches its prey on the wing, and eats mammals, birds, reptiles and snails. It likes to sit on the highest branches of trees or edges of ravines. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | It nests in treetops. The nest is large and made of dry sticks | + | 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-Clements6thOct07}} | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct07}}#Avibase |
| + | #BF Member observations | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Buteo+polyosoma}} | {{GSearch|Buteo+polyosoma}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Buteo]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Buteo]] | ||
Revision as of 19:59, 8 May 2010
Alternative name: Variable Hawk
- Buteo polyosoma
Identification
Male: 18 - 20 in. Female: 20 - 22 in.
- White tail with black sub-terminal band
Male
- Grey back
- Grey or white underparts
Female: usually have a rufous back but may have either white or rufous underparts.
Distribution
South America: found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Falkland Islands.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
Two subspecies are recognized:
- B. p. polyosoma - Andes of southern Colombia south to Tierra del Fuego, and Falkland Islands
- B. p. exsul - Juan Fernadez Islands, Chile
Habitat
Temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. Observed at heights around 3000 meters
Behaviour
Diet
This bird catches its prey on the wing, and eats mammals, birds, reptiles and snails. It likes to sit on the highest branches of trees or edges of ravines.
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
- Clements, JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019
- Avibase
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Variable Hawk. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 9 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Variable_Hawk
