Gray-bellied Hawk

The Gray-bellied Hawk (Accipiter poliogaster)  Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Gray-bellied Hawk is a medium-sized hawk with a distinctive appearance. It typically has a dark gray back and crown, with a light gray belly and breast. The wings are relatively short and rounded, and the tail is long with broad white bands. Juveniles may have a brownish coloration and some streaking on the breast.

Habitat: These hawks inhabit a variety of forested habitats, including tropical rainforests, montane forests, and woodland areas. They are often found in dense canopies and forest edges where they can hunt for prey effectively.

Behavior: Gray-bellied Hawks are known for their stealthy hunting behavior. They often perch quietly in the forest understory, waiting for an opportunity to ambush prey, which typically includes small birds, mammals, and insects. They are agile fliers, capable of sudden bursts of speed and maneuverability to catch prey in flight.

Breeding: Breeding information on the Gray-bellied Hawk is not as well-documented as for some other species of hawks. Like many raptors, they are believed to be monogamous and establish territories for breeding. Nests are typically built in trees, and females likely incubate the eggs while males provide food.

Conservation Status: The conservation status of the Gray-bellied Hawk in Colombia is not well-documented, but it is generally considered to be of Least Concern globally according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).