|
|---|
photo by Gabriel Mello
photo by Edgar Mendez Vargas
Central and South America| Subspecies: | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Est. World Population: | >10,000 and <100,000 |
| CITES Status: | Appendix II |
| IUCN Status: | Near Threatened |
| U.S. ESA Status: | Not Listed |
| Overall Length: | 56–68.5 cm |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | 1 |
| Gestation Period: | 44–48 days |
Identification:
- Adults: Feature a black crown and crest, rich chestnut/rufous patches on the sides of the head and neck, and a white throat. The underparts are white with bold black barring.
- Juveniles: Appear very different, with a primarily white head and underparts, lack the chestnut neck patches, and have narrower, sparser barring on the flanks and legs.
- Size: They typically measure 56–68.5 cm (22–27 in) in length with a wingspan of 117–142 cm (3.8–4.7 ft). Females are significantly larger and heavier than males.
Habitat:
Ornate Hawk-Eagles are primarily inhabitants of undisturbed humid forests and tall gallery forests. While they prefer primary rainforest, they can also be found in cloud forests, deciduous forests, and occasionally in tall secondary growth or shaded coffee plantations with native canopy trees. They are typically found in lowlands and foothills below 1,200 meters, though they occasionally reach altitudes of 3,000 meters.
Biomes: They are characteristic of the Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests biome, with occasional presence in Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests during wandering or in more humid micro-habitats.
Biomes: They are characteristic of the Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests biome, with occasional presence in Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests during wandering or in more humid micro-habitats.
Range:
This species has a vast but increasingly fragmented range across the Neotropics. It extends from central Mexico through Central America and down into South America, reaching as far south as northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. It also occurs on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
Life Cycle:
- Breeding: They have a low reproductive rate, typically laying only one egg every two years.
- Nesting: Pairs build large stick nests high in the fork of emergent trees.
- Development: Incubation lasts approximately 44–48 days, and fledging takes 66–93 days. The young remain dependent on their parents for up to a year after fledging.
Food & Hunting:
They are exceptionally powerful predators, capable of taking prey up to five times their own weight.
- Diet: Their diet is varied but focuses heavily on medium-to-large birds (such as macaws, parrots, and guans) and mammals (like agoutis, squirrels, and small monkeys). They also occasionally eat reptiles.
- Technique: They primarily hunt by stealth, perching quietly in the canopy and launching sudden, swift attacks on prey in the trees or on the ground.
Behaviour:
These eagles are often seen soaring in the late morning, frequently vocalizing with high-pitched, "hiccupping" whistles. They are known to be quite aggressive, particularly when defending their territory or nest. During courtship, pairs perform elaborate aerial displays, including diving, looping, and claw-grappling.
Conservation:
As of 2026, the Ornate Hawk-Eagle is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II to regulate international trade. In some countries, like Mexico, it is considered "in danger of extinction".
Other Details:
- Etymology: The genus name Spizaetus comes from the Greek spizias (hawk) and aetos (eagle), while ornatus is Latin for "adorned" or "ornate".
- Vocalizations: Beyond whistles, they can produce a cry that sounds like the snarling growl of a large cat.