Plain-breasted Hawk

The Plain-breasted Hawk (Accipiter (striatus) ventralis) subsp.  Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Plain-breasted Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with broad, rounded wings and a long tail. Adults have a plain, brown chest and a distinctive white throat patch or collar. The upperparts are dark gray with barring and the underparts are whitish with brown barring.

Habitat: Plain-breasted Hawks inhabit a variety of forested habitats such as tropical and subtropical forests, wooded savannas, and forest edges. They are typically found in areas with dense vegetation and open spaces where they can hunt for prey.

Behavior: These hawks are skilled fliers and hunters, preying on a variety of small mammals, birds, and insects. They are known for their agility and speed in flight, using their sharp talons to capture prey. Plain-breasted Hawks are typically solitary birds and are often seen perched high in trees while scanning for prey.

Breeding: Breeding pairs of Plain-breasted Hawks build nests in trees, constructing a platform of sticks and lining it with softer materials like leaves and moss. They lay 2-3 eggs per clutch and both parents take turns incubating the eggs. The young hawks fledge after around 5-6 weeks and are dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation Status: The Plain-breasted Hawk is currently categorized as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).