Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

White-rumped Hawk

Parabuteo leucorrhous

The white-rumped hawk, known scientifically as Parabuteo leucorrhous, is a striking bird of prey with a distinctive appearance. Adults are cloaked in an almost entirely black plumage, contrasted by a prominent white rump and undertail coverts. Their tails feature a narrow grayish-brown band at the midpoint, and their thighs are adorned with rufous feathers. The eyes, cere, legs, and feet of these hawks are a vivid yellow, adding to their remarkable visage. Males and females share the same plumage, and the species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with males typically smaller than females.

Identification Tips

When identifying the white-rumped hawk, look for its black body, white rump, and the rufous feathering on the thighs. The yellow of the eyes and legs can also be a helpful indicator. In flight, the wingspan ranges from 67 to 79 cm, which can aid in identification from a distance.

Habitat

This species is found in the interior and edges of dense subtropical and tropical forests, as well as the Chaco region in the east. It thrives in a variety of forested environments, from the lush Andean slopes to the more arid landscapes of the Chaco.

Distribution

The white-rumped hawk has a broad distribution across South America, with two distinct ranges. One spans from the Andes of Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and into northwestern Argentina. The other extends from southern Brazil through Paraguay to northeastern Argentina.

Behaviour

Generally sedentary, the white-rumped hawk may exhibit some nomadic tendencies. Its precise movements are not well-documented, but it is known to maintain a presence within its established range.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the white-rumped hawk consist of a high-pitched whistle, with variations that include a "KEEEEiu" sound and a longer, more monotonous whistle.

Breeding

Breeding seasons for the white-rumped hawk appear to vary by location, with activity noted in February and March in Colombia, potentially June to January in Ecuador, and including October in Brazil. Nests are constructed as shallow cups of sticks lined with green leaves, placed high in trees, and typically contain two eggs.

Diet and Feeding

While much of the white-rumped hawk's diet remains a mystery, it has been observed feeding on reptiles, frogs, insects, and rats. Its hunting methods are not well-documented.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the white-rumped hawk as Least Concern due to its large range. However, the population size is unknown and suspected to be decreasing. The species is considered relatively uncommon and local, with some tolerance for disturbed forest environments. In the western part of its range, it is deemed common, but in the eastern range, it faces local threats and potential population declines.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

White-rumped Hawks on Birda

Sightings

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

A photo of a Shikra (Accipiter badius)

Shikra

Accipiter badius
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.