Black-hawk Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
Aguila Iguanera
Song
Black-hawk Eagle
The Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus). Read in Spanish
Appearance: The Black Hawk-Eagle is a striking bird of prey with a prominent crest and long tail. Adults typically have blackish-brown upperparts and white underparts. They have a black band across their chest and are adorned with barred black-and-white tail feathers. This species also has yellow eyes and a powerful, hooked beak.
Habitat: Black Hawk-Eagles are found in a variety of forested habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, montane forests, and sometimes in open woodland areas. In Colombia, they can be seen in the diverse forested regions across the country, including the Andean slopes and other mountainous areas.
Behavior: These eagles are specialized hunters that prey on birds and mammals. They are agile flyers and are known for their stealthy hunting techniques, often perching high in the canopy before swooping down swiftly to catch their prey. They are also territorial birds, defending their nesting areas from intruders.
Breeding: Breeding typically occurs during the dry season when food is abundant. Black Hawk-Eagles construct large stick nests high in trees, where the female lays a single egg or occasionally two eggs. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and raising the young eaglet(s), which fledge after several months.
Conservation Status: The species is not globally considered threatened and is categorized as being of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
The Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
Andean Region: The Black Hawk-Eagle can be found in the Andean region of Colombia, which encompasses the Andes mountain range running through the country. This region includes departments such as Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Huila, Nariño, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Tolima, and Valle del Cauca.
Amazon Region: Parts of the Amazon region of Colombia also provide suitable habitat for the Black Hawk-Eagle. This region includes departments such as Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Vaupés, where the eagle can be found in the dense rainforests and riverine ecosystems.
Pacific Region: The Black Hawk-Eagle may occur in the Pacific region of Colombia, which includes departments such as Chocó, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca. The species can inhabit the lush rainforests and coastal areas of this region.
Orinoquía and Llanos Region: While less common, the Black Hawk-Eagle may also be present in parts of the eastern Orinoquía region and the vast grasslands of the Llanos region, including departments like Arauca, Casanare, Meta, Vichada, and parts of Boyacá and Santander.
Caribbean Region: While sightings are less frequent, the Black Hawk-Eagle may also occur in parts of the Caribbean region of Colombia, including areas within departments such as Atlántico, Bolívar, Cesar, Córdoba, La Guajira, Magdalena, and Sucre, where forested habitats are present.
Taxonomy
The Black-hawk Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Spizaetus
- Species: Spizaetus tyrannus
Vocalization
The Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
- Whistling Calls: The Black Hawk-Eagle is known for its distinctive high-pitched, piercing whistles that can carry over long distances. These whistles are often used during territorial displays and to communicate with other eagles in the vicinity.
- Screaming Calls: The eagle also produces loud, piercing screams that can be heard echoing through the forests. These calls are often used during territorial disputes or to indicate alarm or distress.
- Chatter Calls: Black Hawk-Eagles may produce chatter-like vocalizations that consist of quick, repetitive notes. These calls can be heard during interactions between mating pairs or between parents and offspring.
- Mewing Calls: The Black Hawk-Eagle can also emit mewing sounds, which are softer and more melodious compared to its other vocalizations. These mewing calls are often used during courtship displays or interactions with offspring.
- Contact Calls: The eagle may use contact calls to maintain communication with other individuals in its territory or to locate its mate during foraging activities. These calls are softer and serve to keep track of the whereabouts of other eagles.
