Great Black Hawk

The Great Black Hawk, a majestic bird of prey, stands out with its impressive size, ranging from 56 to 64 centimeters in length and weighing approximately 1.1 kilograms. Its plumage is predominantly black, with very broad wings that command the skies. The tail is distinctive, being white with a broad black tip, while the bill is a stark black and the legs and cere are a striking yellow.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species are similar in both sexes, presenting a uniform black appearance. However, the immature Great Black Hawk can be identified by its dark brown upperparts with spotting and streaks, and buff underparts adorned with dark spots. The tail of the young is marked with several black and dusky bars, making it distinguishable from the adults.

Habitat

The Great Black Hawk is typically found in coastal regions but is also known to inhabit forests and open woodlands in proximity to water sources.

Distribution

This bird has a wide range across the tropical New World, from Mexico through Central America and down to Peru, Tobago, and northern Argentina. It is a resident breeder throughout this range.

Behaviour

Soaring above woodlands is a common sight for the Great Black Hawk, and it has been observed to forage on foot. It is known to be an opportunistic feeder, often seen hunting along Amazon rivers and even raiding hoatzin nesting colonies for eggs and chicks.

Song & Calls

The call of the Great Black Hawk is a distinctive piping ooo-wheeeeee, which can be heard echoing through its habitat.

Breeding

Nesting for this species involves constructing a large stick nest high in a tree, where it typically lays one dark-blotched whitish egg.

Diet and Feeding

A versatile predator, the Great Black Hawk's diet consists mainly of reptiles and other small vertebrates, including amphibians, fish, birds, and small mammals such as bats. It also consumes crabs, large insects, carrion, eggs, and fruits.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Great Black Hawk as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher risk category.