Grey-bellied Hawk

The Grey-bellied Hawk, or Grey-bellied Goshawk, is a forest-dwelling bird of prey of considerable rarity, belonging to the Accipitridae family. This medium-sized raptor exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females out-sizing males by approximately 40%. The adult's plumage is a striking contrast of black or dark grey dorsally, with a white or grey throat and underparts. A distinctive pale grey belly and a "hooded" appearance of the head, due to the abrupt transition from dark to white plumage, are characteristic features. The tail is adorned with three wide light grey horizontal bands and a narrow white tip, while the wings, legs, and tail are relatively short for the body size. The feet, legs, cere, and orbital skin are a vivid yellow, and the bill is black with a bluish-grey base. The iris is reported as either yellow or red, with females having darker grey cheeks compared to the males' lighter grey.

Identification Tips

In the field, the Grey-bellied Hawk can be confused with the Collared Forest Falcon and Slaty-backed Forest Falcon due to similar size and shape. However, it can be distinguished by its unique coloration and the cackling kek-kek-kek-kek-kek-kek call that fades towards the end. Juveniles resemble the Ornate Hawk-Eagle and were once considered a separate species.

Habitat

The Grey-bellied Hawk inhabits tropical lowland evergreen forests at elevations of 250-500 meters above sea level. It is found in pristine forest habitats, lower canopies of primary and recently logged forests, riparian forest patches, dense woodlands, and occasionally in secondary forests.

Distribution

This hawk's range spans northern and eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, the Guyanas, Suriname, eastern Ecuador, central and eastern Peru, Amazonian Brazil, northern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and northeast Argentina. It has a patchy presence in Ecuador and has been observed accidentally in Costa Rica.

Behaviour

The Grey-bellied Hawk is generally considered a resident species, though partial or full migration has been reported. It is a still hunter, likely perching in the forest canopy to ambush prey rather than hunting by soaring.

Song & Calls

The vocalization of this hawk is a distinctive cackling series that diminishes towards the end.

Breeding

Breeding behavior is largely uncharted, with only one documented instance in southern Brazil. The species nests in a manner typical for Neotropical Accipiters, with a preference for dense branches that conceal the nest. Clutch size is typically two eggs, with nestlings staying in the nest for about 49 days.

Similar Species

The Grey-bellied Hawk can be mistaken for the Collared Forest Falcon and Slaty-backed Forest Falcon but differs markedly in plumage.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is presumed to consist of small passerines, tinamous, and possibly arboreal lizards, tree frogs, and large insects. It is thought to be a still hunter, waiting for prey from a perch rather than actively soaring.

Conservation Status

The IUCN lists the Grey-bellied Hawk as Near Threatened, with an estimated population of 1,000 to 10,000 individuals. The species faces threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation, although it shows some tolerance to habitat disturbance.