Bicolored hawk facts for kids
The bicolored hawk (Accipiter bicolor) is a type of bird of prey that belongs to the Accipitridae family. These birds live in forests, woodlands, and even plantations. You can find them in southeastern Mexico, Central America, and northern and central South America, reaching as far south as northern Argentina. While they are not always easy to spot, they are the most common type of Accipiter hawk in many parts of their home range. However, they do not live in very high places, like the tallest parts of the Andes mountains.
Quick facts for kids Bicolored hawk |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Accipiter
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| Species: |
bicolor
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Contents
What Does the Bicolored Hawk Look Like?
The bicolored hawk is about 34 to 45 centimeters (13 to 18 inches) long. It weighs between 200 and 450 grams (7 to 16 ounces). This makes it smaller than some hawks found in North America. But it is one of the largest Accipiter hawks in Central and South America. Like many birds of prey, the female bicolored hawk is much larger than the male.
Colors and Markings
Adult bicolored hawks are grey on their backs. Their wings and the top of their heads are darker. Their tails have bands of color. The feathers on their bellies can be dark grey or very pale grey. Some hawks in the southern parts of their range might even have reddish-brown (rufous) feathers on their bellies. A special feature is their thighs, which are always a pure reddish-brown color. The feathers under their wings are white in northern hawks and reddish-brown in southern ones.
Young Hawks
Young bicolored hawks, called juveniles, look very different from adults. Their bellies can be white, light yellowish-brown (buff), or reddish-brown. Sometimes they have dark streaks. Their backs are browner than adult hawks. Their thighs might also be paler.
Where Do Bicolored Hawks Live?
The bicolored hawk lives across a wide area. Its home stretches from Mexico all the way south to parts of Argentina and Chile. Even though they live in many places, they are not often seen. This is because they are quite shy.
Preferred Homes
These hawks mostly live in forests. They like the edges of forests and clearings in tropical areas. They can also be found in rainforests and drier, thinner forests. They are most common in undisturbed forests. You will find fewer hawks in forests that have been cut down. They are rarely seen in forests where less than 66% of the trees are still standing.
How Do Bicolored Hawks Behave?
Bicolored hawks are known for being shy. This makes them hard to spot in the wild. Because they are so secretive, there might be more of them than we realize.
Sounds They Make
Their calls are usually quiet. Male hawks sometimes make a soft, clear whistle. Females can make a loud "cac cac cac" sound, especially near their nest or young. Both males and females might also make a barking "kra-kra-kra-kr-kr-kr-ka" sound. When the male brings food to the nest during incubation, he makes a sharp "kek" sound. The female replies with a nasal "wreh."
What Do Bicolored Hawks Eat?
Bicolored hawks are clever hunters. They often fly quietly through thick trees to surprise their prey. They might also sit still and watch their target before chasing it in the air. Sometimes, two hawks will even hunt together!
Their main food is smaller birds. This includes birds like thrushes, mockingbirds, and small doves. But they also eat small mammals, such as bats. They can also catch reptiles and large insects. Hawks in the southern areas sometimes hunt Chilean pigeons. There have even been times when these hawks attacked groups of squirrel monkeys or tamarins. They might also follow monkeys to catch insects that the monkeys stir up.
Family Life
Bicolored hawks build their nests in forest areas. They usually choose tree branches or even hanging vines. Both the male and female work together to build the nest. They use dried sticks and leaves. Each pair usually builds a new nest every year.
After building the nest, the male and female mate. About five weeks later, the female lays her eggs. The eggs are dull white and measure about 47.1 mm by 36.5 mm. A typical clutch has 1 to 3 eggs. The female sits on the eggs for about three weeks to keep them warm. During this time, the male hunts for food.
When the chicks hatch, their eyes are open. But they cannot move around much and need their parents to feed them. Young hawks leave the nest after about 30 to 36 days. They will keep returning to the nest for food for almost seven more weeks. After this, they become independent.
Images for kids
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The range map of the bicolored hawk.
