Zone-tailed Hawk

The Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus, is a medium-sized raptor that graces the warm, arid regions of the Americas with its presence. This slender hawk is often mistaken for a turkey vulture due to similarities in plumage and flight style, which may afford it some advantage in the wild.

Identification Tips

Adult Zone-tailed Hawks are predominantly blackish, with barred flight feathers that can appear a striking silver-gray from a distance. Their tails are adorned with three to four bands, the second from the tip being particularly broad and conspicuous. The cere and legs are a bright yellow, providing a splash of color against the dark plumage. Immature birds display small white spots on the breast and have tails with narrower bands. When in flight, look for the hawk's dihedral wing position and listen for its distinctive call to aid in identification.

Habitat

These hawks are quite adaptable, inhabiting a variety of landscapes from coniferous forests to scrublands, always with a preference for areas near water. They nest in tall trees or on cliff faces, often in rocky regions.

Distribution

The Zone-tailed Hawk can be found from southern Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas, through Mexico and Central America, and into parts of South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. They are also native to Trinidad in the Caribbean.

Behaviour

Zone-tailed Hawks are solitary outside of the breeding season and are known for their soaring flight, which mimics that of turkey vultures. This behavior may allow them to approach prey undetected. They are most vocal during the breeding season, particularly when performing courtship displays.

Song & Calls

The call of the Zone-tailed Hawk is a loud, descending scream, with a characteristic pitch rise and fall that can be heard during breeding displays or when the bird is disturbed at the nest.

Breeding

Breeding season varies by location but typically occurs in the first half of the year. Courtship involves aerial acrobatics, and nests are constructed high in trees or on cliffs. Clutches usually consist of one to three eggs, with the female primarily responsible for incubation.

Diet and Feeding

Zone-tailed Hawks are active predators, hunting a variety of prey including small birds, mammals, and reptiles. They employ stealthy flight tactics to surprise their prey, often using cover to approach undetected.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Zone-tailed Hawk as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.