Common Black Hawk

The common black hawk, scientifically known as Buteogallus anthracinus, is a robust bird of prey, part of the Accipitridae family, which encompasses eagles, hawks, and vultures. Adults typically measure between 43 to 53 centimeters in length and weigh around 930 grams. Their plumage is predominantly black or dark gray, with very broad wings suited to their soaring flight. The tail is short and black, adorned with a single broad white band and a white tip. The bill is black, while the legs and cere exhibit a striking yellow coloration.

Identification Tips

When identifying the common black hawk, look for its large size and broad wings. The adult's black plumage with a white-banded tail is distinctive, as is the yellow cere and legs. Immature birds can be recognized by their dark brown upperparts with spotting and streaks, and buff to whitish underparts with dark blotches. Their tails are marked with several black and white bars. The common black hawk can be confused with the zone-tailed hawk but is larger and has fewer white bars on the tail.

Habitat

This species thrives in coastal environments, favoring mangrove swamps, estuaries, and nearby dry open woodlands. However, it is also found in inland areas, including migratory populations in northwestern Mexico and Arizona.

Distribution

The common black hawk is native to the warmer regions of the Americas, with its range extending from the Southwestern United States through Central America and down to Venezuela, Peru, Trinidad, and the Lesser Antilles.

Behaviour

Breeding

The common black hawk is known to build large platform nests out of sticks, often in mangroves or other trees, at heights ranging from fifteen to one hundred feet above the ground. These nests may be reused and expanded over time. The species typically lays one to three eggs, usually only one, which are whitish with brown markings. Notably, there has been recorded natural hybridization with the red-shouldered hawk in California, a rare occurrence among different genera of hawks.

Feeding

Adept at hunting, the common black hawk primarily preys on crabs, particularly land crabs, and crayfish. Its diet also includes small vertebrates like fish, frogs, turtle hatchlings, lizards, snakes, and small or injured birds and mammals. It will consume carrion, such as dead fish, and occasionally supplements its diet with insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, and wasp larvae. Observers can often spot this raptor soaring or engaging in a talon-touching aerial courtship display. Its call is a distinctive piping "spink-speenk-speenk-spink-spink-spink."

Song & Calls

The common black hawk's vocalizations are characterized by a series of piping notes, often transcribed as "spink-speenk-speenk-spink-spink-spink," which can be heard during its flight or while perched.

Conservation status

The common black hawk is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. In the northern part of its range, particularly in the United States, it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.