Bicolored Hawk

This medium-sized Neotropical bird of prey displays significant sexual size dimorphism, where females are notably larger and heavier (weighing between 340 and 450 grams) compared to males (which range from 200 to 250 grams). The overall body length is approximately 33 to 45 centimeters. Adults feature a dark slate-gray to charcoal dorsal plumage with a slightly darker crown. The underparts are highly variable across their geographic range, showing shades from pale gray to rufous, or delicate barring in some populations. A key diagnostic field mark is the presence of bright rufous thighs, which contrast sharply with the rest of the underparts. Their eyes have a vivid bright yellow to orange iris, and both the cere and tarsus are bright yellow. The long tail is dark gray or blackish, crossed by two to three pale bands and tipped with white.

Geographical distribution: This accipitrid raptor has an extensive geographic range stretching from southern Mexico (primarily Veracruz and Oaxaca) down through Central America (including Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama) and deep into South America. Its southern range encompasses Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, broad expanses of Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and extreme northern Uruguay. Multiple subspecies are recognized across this vast territory, reflecting regional adaptations to isolated forest basins and Andean slopes.

Habitat: It primarily inhabits the interior and edges of tropical and subtropical moist forests, as well as gallery forests, mature secondary growth, and deciduous woodlands. It can also be found in shaded cacao and coffee plantations, or fragmented forest patches, provided there is a dense canopy cover for hunting and nesting. Its elevational distribution typically ranges from sea level up to 2,000 meters, although occasional records place it higher in montane forests along the Andean slopes.

Feeding: It is a highly specialized ornithivorous predator, with birds constituting over 80% of its diet. Common prey items include thrushes, pigeons, small parrots, woodpeckers, and various forest passerines. It opportunistically supplements this diet with small mammals (such as rodents and bats), lizards, and large insects. The hunting strategy relies on stealth and surprise: it remains motionless, hidden within dense foliage on a low perch, and launches a rapid, highly agile, short-distance pursuit to capture prey mid-air or snatch them from tree branches.

Behavior: This secretive and quiet raptor is notoriously difficult to observe in its natural habitat due to its preference for dense, mid-to-lower forest canopies. Its flight pattern is characterized by rapid wing beats interspersed with brief, silent glides, a style highly adapted for navigating dense vegetation. It is predominantly solitary, interacting with conspecifics almost exclusively during the breeding season. Vocalizations consist of series of sharp, repetitive cackles, primarily used for territorial defense and pair bonding during the nesting season.

Nesting: The reproductive cycle begins with aerial courtship displays over the forest canopy. Both sexes construct a sturdy cup-shaped platform nest using dry twigs and sticks, lining the inner cup with fresh green leaves. The nest is typically placed at a high vantage point, generally between 10 and 25 meters above the ground, in the main fork of a mature forest tree. Clutches consist of 1 to 3 chalky-white eggs, occasionally marked with faint brown spots. Incubation is performed almost entirely by the female for about 33 to 37 days, while the male assumes the role of primary food provider. The altricial young require intensive parental care and fledge at approximately 30 to 36 days of age.

Conservation status: It is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Despite its vast distribution, regional populations are experiencing a declining trend caused by rapid deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and the loss of pristine nesting sites. In several countries, the species is protected under local environmental laws designed to prevent poaching and illegal capture.