Grey-backed hawk

Leucopternis occidentalis

Photo by Dusan Brinkhuizen (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
grey-backed hawk (en); gavião-de-dorso-cinzento (pt); buse à dos gris (fr); busardo dorsigrís (es); graurückenbussard (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is only found in western Ecuador and adjacent parts of north-western Peru, having a very fragmented range.

Size:
These birds are 45-48 cm long.

Habitat:
The grey-backed hawk is found in deciduous and evergreen tropical forests, including dry forests, moist forests and cloud forests, at altitudes of 100-2.900 m.

Diet:
They have a very diversified diet, the largest proportion consisting of reptiles, but also mammals, birds, crabs, amphibians, large insects such as beetles and katydids, and earthworms. The most common prey are snakes and rice rats Oryzomys.

Breeding:
Grey-backed hawks can breed all year round. The nest is a small, well hidden structure, made of fresh and dry sticks and lined with green sprigs and green leaves. It is placed in a tree 14-35 m above the ground. The female lays a single, unmarked, bluish-white egg, which she incubates alone for 36 days while the male brings her food. The chick fledges 10-12 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a small and highly fragmented breeding range. The global population is estimated at just 250-1.000 individuals and is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate. The main threat to the grey-backed hawk is the extensive habitat destruction and fragmentation throughout its range, with over 90% of west Ecuador now deforested due to clearance for timber and agriculture, and intense grazing pressure from goats and cattle in the forest understorey. Human persecution is also a major threat in some areas.

Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus

(Photo from Lee's Birdwatching Adventures)

Common name:
bateleur (en); águia-bailarina (pt); bateleur des savanes (fr); águila volatinera (es); gaukler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and southern Mauritania to Sudan and Ethiopia and south to northern Namibia and northern South Africa. They are also found along the Red Sea coast of Yemen and south-western Saudi Arabia.

Size:
These birds are 55-70 cm long and have a wingspan of 160-180 cm. They weigh 1,8-2,9 kg.

Habitat:
The bateleur is found in dry savannas, grasslands, woodlands and scrublands, from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
They have a broad diet, including mammals from shrews to small antelopes, birds from starlings to large hornbills, snakes, lizards, frogs, insects and dead fishes.

Breeding:
Bateleurs are monamous, solitary nesters. They can breed all year round and the nest is built mainly by the female, consisting of a thin stick platform lined with green leaves. It is typically placed in the fork of a large leafy tree. The female lays a single egg, which is incubated by both sexes for 52-59 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 90-125 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 1 month later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has an extremely large breeding range, but the global population size is estimated as just 10.000-100.000 individuals. Declines have taken place across much of their range, owing to habitat loss caused by agricultural intensification, and poisoning by poisoned baits and pesticides. The overall rate of decline is difficult to quantify but is suspected to be moderately rapid.

Short-toed snake-eagle

Circaetus gallicus

Photo by Denis Haltebourg (Nunda Foto)

Common name:
short-toed snake-eagle (en); águia-cobreira (pt); circaète Jean-le-Blanc (fr); águila culebrera (es); schlangenadler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found  breeding from the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco in the west, through southern and central Europe as far north as the Baltic and through Turkey and southern Russia, into the Caucasus and the Middle East and as far east as southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and northern Afghanistan. They migrate south to winter in sub-Saharan Africa across the Sahel belt and in the Indian sub-continent.

Size:
These birds are 62-70 cm long and have a wingspan of 170-190 cm. They weigh 1,2-2,3 kg.

Habitat:
The short-toed snake-eagle uses a wide range of habitats, usually preferring mixed areas which include forested areas for nesting and open areas rich with reptiles. They are found in temperate forests, dry savannas, grasslands, dry scrublands and even deserts. This birds occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.300 m.

Diet:
They mainly feed on snakes of up to 1,5 m in length, but also other reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and rarely other birds and invertebrates.

Breeding:
Short-toed snake-eagles breed in April-October. The nest is relatively small for such a large bird, being constructed from sticks and twigs and lined with green leaves or grass. It is usually placed in a tree, or more rarely on a cliff ledge. There the female lays a single white egg, which she mostly incubates alone for 45-47 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges 60-80 days after hatching. It becomes independent soon after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population size estimated at 51.400-156.000 individuals. In the past, this population suffered declines caused by habitat loss and shooting. At present, although there is still some illegal shooting in wintering and migration areas, like Malta, the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Pallas's fish eagle

Haliaeetus leucoryphus

Photo by Johan Stenlund (PBase)

Common name:
Pallas's fish eagle (en); águia-de-Pallas (pt); pygargue de Pallas (fr); pigargo de Pallas (es); bindenseeadler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found in central Asia, from Kazakhstan to Mongolia and northern China, and south to northern India and Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and southern China.

Size:
This large eagle is 72-84 cm long and has a wingspan of 180-215 cm. They weigh 2-3,7 kg.

Habitat:
The Pallas's fish eagle is found in inland wetlands, namely large freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes and along river and creeks, from sea level up to an altitude of 5.000 m.

Diet:
They mainly eat fish, which they take from the water surface rather than by plunge-diving. They are also know to eat frogs, turtles, reptiles and other birds, and often consume carrion or steal food from other predators such as ospreys.

Breeding:
Pallas's fish eagle breed in November-July. The nest is a huge platform of sticks lined with hay, rushes, straw, fine twigs and green leaves, placed on a tree or even on the ground, along the edges of lakes and rivers. There the female lays 2-4 white eggs, which are mostly incubated by the female for 40-45 days, while the male brings her food. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 10-15 weeks after hatching, but invariably the last chick to hatch will die, as it cannot compete effectively with its older siblings for food from its parents.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a very large breeding range, but the global population is estimated at just 2.500-10.000 individuals. The population currently declining at a moderate rate, mostly because of the loss, degradation and disturbance of wetland habitats and adjacent nesting trees throughout its range. Pollution and eutrophication of wetlands, together with over-fishing are major threats to this species, as is the constrution of hydroelectric dams. Hunting may be a localized problem in parts of China.

Cooper's hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Photo by Seth Cutright (A Hawk Counters World)

Common name:
Cooper's hawk (en); gavião-de-Cooper (pt); épervier de Cooper (fr); gavilán de Cooper (es); rundschwanzsperber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found breeding throughout the United States and southern Canada and winters in the southernmost parts of the United States, in Mexico and in Central America down to Costa Rica.

Size:
These birds are 37-45 cm long and have a wingspan of 62-90 cm. Males are smaller than females, weighing 220-410 g while females weigh 330-680 g.

Habitat:
They are mostly found in temperate forests and woodlands, but also in scrublands, tropical and sub-tropical forests, rural gardens and even within urban areas. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
The Cooper's hawk mainly hunts birds, such as starlings, doves, pigeons, robins, jays, flickers, quails, grouse, pheasants and chickens. They also take rodents, bats and occasionally reptiles and amphibians.

Breeding:
These birds breed in March-July. The nest is a pile of sticks lined with bark flakes and, sometimes, green twigs. It is placed in a large tree 8-16 m above the ground. The female lays 3-6 bluish to greenish-white eggs with darker spots, which she mostly incubates alone for 30-36 days while receiving food from the male. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 27-34 days after hatching, but continue to receive food from parents for another 2 months.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
The Cooper's hawk has a very large breeding range and, after the declines causes by pesticides and persecution until the 1970s, the population is now recovering at a rate of 37% per decade.

Indian spotted eagle

Aquila hastata

(Photo from Nitins)

Common name:
Indian spotted eagle (en); águia-índia (pt); aigle lancéolé (fr); águila moteada hindú (es); Indischer schreiadler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found in northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and possibly also Cambodja.

Size:
These birds are 59-67 cm long and have a wingspan of 154-168 cm. They weigh 1,4-1,8 kg.

Habitat:
Indian spotted eagle are mostly found in open tropical forests, but also in arable land, plantations and wetlands. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:
They hunt several mammals, birds and reptiles, namely oriental garden lizards Calotes versicolor and Indian field mouses Mus booduga.

Breeding:
Indian spotted eagles breed in March-July. They are monogamous and both sexes help build the nest which is usually placed in a coconut tree Cocus nucifera. the female lays a single egg which is incubated by both parents for 25-32 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges 9-11 weeks after hatching, but only becomes fully independent some 5 months later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a very large breeding range, but the global population is estimated at just 2.500-10.000 individuals. The population is thought to be in decline at a slow to moderate rate, owing to on-going conversion and disturbance of forested habitats within its range.

Red kite

Milvus milvus

Photo by Thomas Kraft (Wikipedia)

Common name:
red kite (en); milhafre-real (pt); milan royal (fr); milano real (es); rotmilan (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
The red kite is almost entirely restricted to Europe, being found from southern Sweden and the Baltic, through Poland and Germany and into France, Great Britain, Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. There is also small population in Morocco.

Size:
These birds are 60-73 cm long and have a wingspan of 150-179 cm. They weigh 800-1.300 g.

Habitat:
They are mostly found in open temperate forests, scrublands and grasslands, but are also common over pastures, agricultural areas and even inside urban areas.

Diet:
Red kites are mostly scavengers, taking a wide range of animal carrion including sheep, rabbits, birds and even waste from refuse dumps. They also hunt small animals such as reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, fishes, insects and earthworms.

Breeding:
These birds are monogamous and may pair for life. They breed in April-August and the nest is an untidy platform made of sticks and twigs and lined with wool and sometimes pieces of paper, plastic or cloth. The nest is placed in a fork in a tree, typically an oak, beech or pine, 12-20 m above the ground. The female lays 1-4 white eggs with reddish-brown spots, which she incubates alone for 32-33 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 48-54 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a very large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 42.000-51.000 individuals. After a generalized decline until the 1970s, some populations are now increasing or stable, but further declines are being witnessed in core breeding areas such as Spain, France and Germany, so the overall population trend is still negative. The main threat to the red kite is illegal direct poisoning and indirect poisoning from pesticides and rodent bait, but other threats include habitat loss due to agricultural intensification, electrocution and collision with power lines and wind turbines, hunting and trapping, road-kills, deforestation, egg-collection and possibly competition with the generally more successful black kite M. migrans.

Cape vulture

Gyps coprotheres

(Photo from ELLF)

Common name:
Cape vulture (en); abutre-do-Cabo (pt); vautour chassefiente (fr); buitre de El Cabo (es); Kapgeier (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found in southern Africa, being patchily distributed across Namibia, southern Zimbabwe, south-eastern Botswana , southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa. They sometimes wander across the border into Angola.

Size:
These birds are 95-115 cm long and have a wingspan of 225-250 cm. They weigh 7-11 kg.

Habitat:
Cape vultures are found in open grasslands, savannas, scrublands and deserts, and often roost on crags in mountain slopes.

Diet:
They are obligate scavengers, eating the carcasses of medium and large-sized mammals.

Breeding:
The Cape vulture breeds in April-December. They are monogamous and nest in colonies of up to 1.000 pairs. The female builds the nest, a bulky platform of sticks, twigs and dry grass, lined with smaller sticks and grass. The nest is placed in a cliff ledge an is often used over several breeding seasons. The female lays a single white egg with brown streaks, which is incubated by both sexes for 55-59 days. The chick is raised by both parents and fledges 4-6 months after hatching, but only becomes fully independent up to 8 months later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 8.000-10.000 individuals. The population is declining at a moderate to fast rate, with dramatic declines of 60-70% being recorded in eastern South Africa in 1992-2007. This decline is caused by a multitude of threats, including accidental poisoning on agricultural land, electrocution on pylons, collision with overhead cables and with vehicles, food-stress during chick-rearing, persecution for traditional medicines, disturbance at colonies, and drowning. The use of the anti-inflamatory drug Diclofenac in cattle is also a serious problem as it is fatal to vultures eating livestock carcasses.

Crowned solitary eagle

Harpyhaliaetus coronatus

(Photo from Flickriver)

Common name:
crowned solitary eagle (en); águia-cinzenta (pt); buse couronnée (fr); águila coronada (es); zaunadler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This South American species is found in southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 75-85 cm long and have a wingspan of 170-185 cm. They weigh 2,9-3,5 kg.

Habitat:
Crowned solitary eagles are found in semi-open areas of seasonally dry country, including palm savanna, sparse woodlands, steppes with bushes, chaco and campo cerrado. They have also been recorded in gallery forests, marshes and palm groves. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.

Diet:
These powerful hunters take a wide range of prey including armadillos, skunks, weasels, hares, rodents, monkeys, snakes, lizards and even fishes and domestic lambs. They occasionally also eat birds, including tinamous and poultry.

Breeding:
Crowned solitary eagles breed in July-November. They build a platform made of sticks and branches, on a main fork in a tall tree. There the female lays a single white egg with grey or yellow spots. The female incubates the egg alone for 39-45 days and the chick is fed by both parents, only becoming fully independent after over a year. Consequently, each pair only breeds once every 2 years.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a very large breeding range, but it occurs at very low densities and the global population is estimated at just 250-1.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be undergoing a moderate decline, caused by habitat destruction, hunting and persecution. Large areas of campo cerrado habitats are being rapidly destroyed by mechanised agriculture, intensive cattle-ranching, afforestation, invasive grasses, excessive use of pesticides and annual burning. Persecution, including shooting and deliberate disturbance, may be a significant threat in central Argentina and Paraguay.

Bat hawk

Macheiramphus alcinus

Photo by Gary Albert (Wikipedia)

Common name:

bat hawk (en); milhafre-morcegueiro (pt); milan des chauves-souris (fr); milano murcielaguero (es); fledermausaar (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This species is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south through the D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola down to South Africa. It is also found in south-east Asia, in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Size:

The bat hawk is 41-51 cm long and has a wingspan of 95-120 cm. They weigh 600-650 g.

Habitat:

They are found in a wide range of habitats, wherever there are large numbers of bats, from tropical forest to open areas near caves. They are even found in disturbed forests, agricultural areas and in urban parks and gardens.

Diet:

Bat hawks hunt on the wing, generally around dusk, and occasionally at dawn. They mostly eat bats, namely Miniopterus, Pipistrellus, Eptesicus, Neoromicia, Scotophilus, Nycticeius, Nycteris, Rhinolophus, Hipposideros, Eidolon and Epomophorus. They will also take insects and small birds including swallows, swiftlets, nightjars, doves, pigeons, cuckoos, starlings, waxbills, bishops and warblers.

Breeding:

These monogamous, territorial solitary nesters breed in April-January. The large stick nest is built high up in a pale-barked tree, which probably makes it easier to locate at night. There the female lays 1-2 bright green, blue or violet eggs, which she incubates alone for 51-53 days. The chicks fledge 67-70 days after hatching but only become fully independent 2-3 months later.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as uncommon. Although there is some evidence for localized population declines caused by habitat destruction and direct persecution, its overall population appears to be stable.

Wedge-tailed eagle

Aquila audax

Photo by Julian Robinson (Oz Animals)

Common name:

wedge-tailed eagle (en); águia-australiana (pt); aigle d'Australie (fr); águila audaz (es); keilschwanzadler (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This species is found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea.

Size:

The wedge-tailed eagle is 87-105 cm long and has a wingspan of 1,8-2,5 m. They weight 2,5-5,3 kg.

Habitat:

These birds are found in a wide range of terrestrial habitats, including savannas, forests, rainforests, and mountainous regions, though they show some preference for more open areas such as woodlands or grasslands. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:

Wedge-tailed Eagles eat both live prey and carrion. Their primary prey is the introduced European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and other medium-sized mammals, such as wombats, bandicoots, and bilbies. They will also hunt lizards, smaller birds, and sick or weakened lambs. In groups, wedge-tailed eagles have even been known to hunt animals as large as kangaroos. Road kill and carcasses of lambs are also a main food source.

Breeding:

These birds breed in April-October. They are monogamous, mating or life, building a huge stick nest, lined with leaves, placed on a tall tree up to 73 m above the ground, but sometimes also on cliff ledges, hillsides, or even on the ground. The female lays 1-3 white eggs with reddish-brown spots, which are incubated for 42-45 days. The chicks are fed by both parents until fledging, 75-95 days ater hatching, and in lean years the first hatched young may kill his siblings either through out-competing them for food or through direct aggression. The chicks will remain dependent on their parents for 3-6 weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The wedge-tailed eagle has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 100.000 individuals. The population is increasing owing to the introduction of rabbits and deforestation. However it is still persecuted in parts of its range through shooting, trapping and poisoning of carcasses.

Grey-faced buzzard

Butastur indicus

Photo by Richard Yu (Formosa Birding)

Common name:

grey-faced buzzard (en); bútio-de-faces-cinzentas (pt); busautour à joues grises (fr); busardo carigrís (es); kiefernteesa (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This species breeds in south-eastern Russia all the way to the Russian far east, in northern China, Korea and Japan. They migrate south to winter in southern and south-eastern China, Taiwan, through Indochina and the Malay Peninsula and into the Greater Sundas, Philippines, Sulawesi and the islands off north-western Borneo.

Size:

This medium-sized raptor is 41-47 cm long and has a wingspan of 100 cm. They weigh 400-450 g.

Habitat:

In their breeding range these birds are found in coniferous and mixed evergreen forests in mountains, at forest edges, fields, meadows, marshes, and around agricultural lands. They winter in open and semi-open woodlands.

Diet:

Grey-faced buzzards mostly hunt frogs, snakes, lizards, insects, crabs, small mammals and birds.

Breeding:

These birds breed in April-July. Both sexes help building the nest, a stick platform placed in a fork in a tree 8-17 m above the ground. There the female lays 3-4 white eggs with rusty spots, which she mostly incubates alone for 32-34 days while the male brings her food. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 35-40 days after hatching, but continue to receive food from their parents for another 1-2 weeks.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population size estimated at 100.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be declining locally owing to ongoing persecution through shooting, but overall this species is not considered threatened at present.

Pacific marsh harrier

Circus approximans

Photo by Wayne Butterworth (Wikipedia)

Common name:

Pacific marsh harrier (en); tartaranhão-dos-paúis-do-Pacífico (pt); busard de Gould (fr); aguilucho lagunero del Pacífico (es); sumpfweihe (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This species is widespread in Australasia and the South Pacific, being found in much of Australia (except the arid regions), New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Size:

Pacific harriers are 53-65 cm long and have a wingspan of 1,1-1,6 m. Females are larger than males, weighing 700-1.100 g while males weigh 500-700 g.

Habitat:

They prefer wetlands such as swamps, salt marshes, wetlands and rice fields, but can also be found in various open landscapes, such as pastures, grasslands, landscapes with sparse tree growth and grain fields.

Diet:

Pacific harriers mostly hunt birds and eggs, large insects, frogs, reptiles and small mammals up to the size of hares or rabbits. They also take fish and shellfish and, in New Zealand, they also often feed on carrion.

Breeding:

These birds breed in September-December. The nest is made of straw and grasses, hidden above the water in dense reeds in a swamp or in crops or long grasses near water. There the female lays 3-4 eggs which she incubates alone for 31-34 days while being fed by the male. During the first few weeks after hatching the female remains in the nest and the male brings food for the family, later the female also start hunting and helps feed the chicks who fledge 43-46 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

Pacific harriers have a very large breeding range and a global population of 10.000-100.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Bonelli's eagle

Aquila fasciata

Photo by René Dumoulin (Oiseaux)

Common name:

Bonelli's eagle (en); águia-de-Bonelli (pt); aigle de Bonelli (fr); águila perdicera (es); habichtsadler (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This species is found in in scattered populations from southern Europe, in Portugal, Spain and southern France, south to north-west Africa, along the Mediterranean into the Arabian Peninsula and in India and southern China.

Size:

This medium-sized eagle is 55-72 cm long and has a wingspan of 142-180 cm. They weigh 1,6-2,4 kg.

Habitat:

The Bonelli's eagle tends to live in warm mountainous regions, nesting on cliff edges and sometimes on trees. Typically, vegetation in these areas is dominated by scrub, but they also use more densely covered areas and almost completely bare areas. They tends to live at low and medium altitudes, but can be found as high as 2.000 m above sea level.

Diet:

This agile hunters takes its prey either from the ground or in flight. They mostly hunt small to medium-sized mammals and birds, namely rabbits, hares, pigeons, doves and partridges. They also prey on rats, bats, reptiles, ducks, and various other species of birds, ranging from herons to cuckoos.

Breeding:

Bonelli's eagles start laying eggs in January-March. Each year, the pair cooperates in building up to 6 huge nests made of branches and twigs and lined with leaves and feathers. The nests are placed either on a rick wall or on the top of a tall tree, and only 1 nest is used in the end. The female lays 2 white eggs with brown spots, which she incubates alone for 37-40 days while being fed by the male. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 55-70 days after hatching, but continue to be receive food from the parents for another 8 weeks.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population of 10.000 individuals. The population is declining drastically throughout its range owing to over-use of pesticides, habitat degradation, loss of prey species, collision with power lines and persecution by hunters and pigeon fanciers. Although it is considered endangered in Europe, this species is not considered globally threatened at present.

Crested goshawk

Accipiter trivirgatus

(Photo from Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

crested goshawk (en); açor-de-crista (pt); autour huppé (fr); azor moñudo (es); schopfhabicht (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This Asian species is found from Nepal and Buthan, east through southern China all the way to Hong Kong. It is found through out the Malay Peninsula, south to Sumatra and also in the Philippines.

Size:

The crested goshawk is 30-46 cm long and weighs up to 500 g.

Habitat:

They occur in broad-leafed and coniferous forest, urban parkland, and marshes. May occasionally be found in mangroves, agricultural fields and even inside wooded suburbia.

Diet:

The crested goshawk relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware. Their main preys are squirrels, rodents, bats, birds and reptiles, namely common flamebacks Dinopium javanense, black-and-yellow broadbills Eurylaimus ochromalus and the slender squirrel Sundasciurus tenuis.

Breeding:

This species breeds in December-June. They build a stick nest placed in a fork near the top of a tree. The nest is lined with green leaves and material continues to be added during incubation. The female lays 2 plain white eggs which are incubated for 28-38 days by both parents. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 27-31 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The crested goshawk has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 10.000-100.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Harpy eagle

Harpia harpyja

Photo by Tom Friedel (Wikipedia)

Common name:

harpy eagle (en); harpia (pt); harpie féroce (fr); águila harpía (es); harpyie (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

Harpy eagles are found from southern Mexico down to Bolivia, northern Argentina and southern Brazil.

Size:

One of the largest eagles in the world, these birds are 89-105 cm long and have a wingspan of 176-201 cm. Females tend to be larger than males, with males weighing 3,8-5,4 kg while females weigh 6,5-9 kg.

Habitat:

This species occurs in gallery rainforests in lowlands and foothills up to about 2,000 m above sea level. They can apparently survive in isolated patches of primary forest, selectively logged primary forest, and even late second-growth forests with a at least a few large emergent trees.

Diet:

Harpy eagles mainly feed on medium-sized mammals, including sloths, monkeys, agoutis, armadillos, and deer, large birds like guans, curassows, and macaws, large lizards, and occasionally snakes.

Breeding:

These birds can breed all year round. Both parents build the nest, a huge platform of sticks with a shallow central cup, placed in a high crotch of a huge emergent tree in primary forest, or partially logged forest with remaining large trees. There the female lays 2 dull white eggs, only one of which will hatch. The female mostly incubates the eggs alone for 55-60 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges 141-148 days after hatching. After hatching the chick is generally inactive and continues to be fed by the parents for another 6-10 months. Pairs will only raise one chick every 2-3 years.

Conservation:

IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)

Harpy eagles are sparsely distributed and generally rare throughout their very large breeding range. The global population is estimated at 20.000-50.000 individuals and suffering a moderately rapid decline, mostly due to habitat loss and hunting. This species is threatened by the escalating rate of forest destruction in the neotropics and also suffers from competition with humans for prey.

Swallow-tailed kite

Elanoides forficatus

Photo by David Brassington (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

swallow-tailed kite (en); gavião-tesoura (pt); milan à queue fourchue (fr); elanio tijereta (es); schwalbenweih (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Falconiformes

Family Accipitridae

Range:

This American species is found from the south-east of the United States, along Central America and into South America down to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil and northern Argentina. The northern birds migrate south and may be found in the Caribbean during migration.

Size:

This medium-sized raptor is 50-64 cm long and has a wingspan of 122-130 cm. They weigh up to 600 g.

Habitat:

They are only found in forested habitats, often lowland forests along rivers. They are also common in open pine woodland.

Diet:

Although mostly insectivorous, taking large insects in flight. They are also known to hunt small reptiles, amphibians, small birds and eggs, and small mammals.

Breeding:

Swallow-tailed kites start breeding in March. Both male and female build the nest on a tree top, often near water. The nest is made of twigs, sticks, hay and dead moss. The female lays 2-4 white eggs with cinnamon spots, which are incubated by both parents for 28 days. The chicks stay in the nest for 36-42 days until fledging.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

These birds have a very large breeding range and a population of 150.000 individuals. The population is believed to be stable, with northern populations showing an increasing trend. the main threat to this species is habitat loss, but they are not considered threatened at present.

Cinereous vulture

Aegypius monachus

Photo by Rich Lindie (Birds Korea)

Common name:
cinereous vulture (en); abutre-preto (pt); vautour moine (fr); buitre negro (es); mönchsgeier (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipiteridae

Range:
Breeds along the middle latitudes of the Paleartic, from the Iberian Peninsula in the west, through the Balcans and Turkey, along the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan and all the way to southern Siberia, Mongolia and norther China. Some asian population are migratory and winter in Korea, China, northern India and Pakistan, the Middle East and as far as southern Sudan in Africa.

Size:
One of the largest birds in the World, the cinereous vulture reaches 98-120 cm in length and a wingspan of 268-310 cm. The largest individuals can weigh 13.5 kg.

Habitat:
Breeds in woodland, mostly populated with perenial oaks, pines and junipers. Preferes steep slopes at altitudes ranging from 400-1900 m (Europe) up to 4500 m (Asia). Mostly nests on tree tops although in Asia some nest are built on rocky outcrops. Usualy forages in steppes, open woodlands and alpine meadows, ocasionally in human made habitats like cereal crops and orchards.

Diet:
Small to medium-sized carcasses. In Europe mostly wild rabbit and domestic sheep, but also goat, pig, deer and wild boar. In Asia feeds on marmot, woolly hare, yak, kyang, both domestic and wild sheep and Tibetan gazelle. Ocasionally human corpses from cerimonial burials.

Breeding:
Starts breeding at 4-6 year old and forms stable couples that can last for several years. The only egg is layed in February-April and hatches after 54-56 days. The chicks fledge after 95-120 days.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
The main threats are: lack of food do to changes in agriculture and strict sanitary laws that stop farmers from leaving dead animals in the fields (Europe), poisoning, accidents with power lines and wind turbines, human disturbance to nests, forest fires, and illegal hunting.