Roadside Hawk

Taxobox
name = Roadside Hawk
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Accipitridae
genus = "Buteo"
species = "B. magnirostris"
binomial = "Buteo magnirostris"
binomial_authority = (Gmelin, 1788)

The Roadside Hawk "(Buteo magnirostris)" is a small bird of prey found in Latin America.

Range and distribution

A common bird throughout its range, the Roadside Hawk can be found from Mexico through Central America to most of South America, east of the Andes cordillera. It is found from the northern Caribbean coast of South America, south to the northeastern parts of Argentina. With the possible exception of dense forests, the Roadside Hawk is well adapted to most ecosystems of its range. It's also an urban bird, and is possibly the most common species of hawk seem in various cities throughout its range. Becomes aggressive when nesting and is prone to attacks at human passers-by [Cf. José Felipe Monteiro Pereira, "Aves e Pássaros Comuns do Rio de Janeiro", Rio de Janeiro, Technical Books Editora, 2008 ISBN 978-8561368-00-5, pg.41] .

Identification

Fairly small compared to other members of the "Buteo" genus, the Roadside Hawk can, in some parts of its range, be identified by its lengthy tail and disproportionately short wings. The breast and underparts of the bird are barred brown and white and the tail has four or five grey bars. There is, however, significant plumage variation depending on the subspecies. The eyes of the Roadside Hawk are usually yellow, and patches on the bird's wings can be observed while the hawk is in flight.

Diet

The Roadside Hawk's diet consists mainly of small mammals, insects,reptiles and small birds.

Reference list

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=742 Roadside Hawk videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/roadside%20hawk.html Roadside Hawk]
* [http://www.bird-stamps.org/cspecies/3017400.htm Stamps] (for Brazil, Nicaragua, Suriname) with RangeMap
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=roadside+hawk&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Roadside Hawk photo gallery] VIREO
* [http://chandra.as.utexas.edu/~kormendy/Ecuador/RoadsideHawk-1473w.jpgPhoto-Super High Res] ; [http://chandra.as.utexas.edu/~kormendy/ecuadorbirds.html Article] chandra.as.utexas.edu