The Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle is a visually striking bird of prey found throughout parts of Central and South America. This eagle is easily distinguished by its bold plumage: predominantly black with a contrasting white underside and a prominent black chest band. Its head is also white, making it stand out in its native habitat of dense tropical rainforests.
With a relatively slender build and a wingspan of approximately 1.2 meters (about 4 feet), the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle is an agile flyer. It specializes in hunting birds and large insects, which it captures in flight with remarkable precision. Occasionally, it may also prey on small mammals, demonstrating its adaptability in various hunting scenarios.
The Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle prefers the canopy layer of the forest, where it can often be seen soaring or perched on high lookouts, scanning for prey. Its call is a high-pitched, piercing whistle that resonates through the forest, signaling its presence to potential mates and rivals.
While not currently listed as endangered, this eagle’s existence is affected by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Protecting forested areas is crucial for maintaining healthy populations of this unique raptor, which plays an important role in controlling prey populations and maintaining ecological balance.
As 2017 winds down, it's time for us to reveal some new birds as part of our annual Birdorable Bonanza! This time we'll introduce 12 birds, from November 24th through December 5th. Today's new bird joins the Birdorable raptor family. The Black-and-white... Read more »
