Semicollared Hawk

The Semicollared Hawk (Accipiter collaris) Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Semicollared Hawk is named for the partial white collar on the back of its neck. Adults have a dark slate-gray upper body with a white area on the back of the neck, while the underparts are white with fine black barring. They have bright yellow eyes, a dark bill, and a long tail, with a size range similar to that of a Cooper's Hawk.

Habitat: Semicollared Hawks are typically found in a variety of forested habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and wooded areas near water sources. They also occur in montane forests and second-growth woodlands.

Behavior: These hawks are agile flyers and adept hunters, known for their skillful pursuit of prey through densely vegetated areas. They feed primarily on small birds and occasionally take small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Semicollared Hawks are often observed perched in the canopy, scanning for prey or engaged in short, darting flights to capture food.

Breeding: Breeding pairs of Semicollared Hawks build stick nests in trees, usually placing them high in the canopy. They typically lay 2-3 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of around 30-35 days. Both parents participate in incubation and care of the young, which fledge after approximately 5-6 weeks.

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