- Accipiter bicolor
Includes: Chilean Hawk
Identification
Adult birds have dark uppersides, plain gray undersides without any dark markings, and rufous thighs which can easily be hidden under gray belly feathers1, 2.
Juveniles are more variable showing undersides between white and rufous and less contrasting thighs, but always expected to have a neck collar similar in color to the underparts3.
Similar Species
A thread discussing differences between juveniles of this species and the Collared Forest Falcon is found here.
Also frequently confused with various other Forest Falcons and the Gray-bellied Goshawk.
Distribution
Mexico to Argentina and Chile and east to the Guianas and Brazil.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[4]
Bicolored Hawk (Bicolored)
- A. b. fidens:
- Lowlands of southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Veracruz and Yucatán Peninsula)
- A. b. bicolor:
Bicolored Hawk (Spotted)
- A. b. pileatus:
- A. b. guttifer:
Bicolored Hawk (Chilean)
- A. b. chilensis:
The Chilean Hawk is sometimes accepted as full species.
Habitat
Breeds in open forest and forest edges. May be found in urban areas at other times.
Behaviour
Flight
Usually seen flying low to the ground.
Breeding
It builds a stick nest; 1-3 dull light bluish to off-white eggs are laid and are incubated for 35 days; the young fledge 30-36 days later.
Diet
The diet includes birds, though large insects and rodents are also taken.
References
- Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156
- Thread in the Identification forum of Birdforum
- Thread in the Identification forum of Birdforum
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Jaramillo
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Bicolored Hawk. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Bicolored_Hawk