Semiplumbeous hawk
| Semiplumbeous hawk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Leucopternis |
| Species: | L. semiplumbeus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucopternis semiplumbeus Lawrence, 1861 | |
The semiplumbeous hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Morphology
The semiplumbeous hawk is a small bird, averaging about 12–13 inches (30–33 cm) in length[2] (approximately the size of a kestrel or merlin). The semiplumbeous hawk is easily identifiable due to its striking orange cere and black face mask.[2] Rarely seen in flight, these hawks typically perch silently on a high branch, waiting for prey.[2] The semiplumbeous hawk often follows swarms of army ants in order to capture antbirds,[2] which, along with other small songbirds, make up a large portion of its diet. The overall population of semiplumbeous hawks is small – estimated at 1,000 to 10,000 mature birds – and declining.[3]
Gallery
Leucopternis semiplumbeus (1869), Joseph Smit
Notes
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Leucopternis semiplumbeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Henderson, Carrol L. "Birds of Costa Rica." University of Texas Press, 2002 and 2010. pg 71
- ↑ BirdLife International 2009. Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbeus at Birdlife.org.
External links
Media related to Leucopternis at Wikimedia Commons