Black-collared hawk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-collared hawk |
|
|---|---|
_adult.jpg) |
|
| Adult in Pantanal, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Busarellus
|
| Species: |
nigricollis
|
| Subspecies | |
|
|
 |
|
| Global range Year-Round Range Summer Range Winter Range | |
The black-collared hawk (Busarellus nigricollis) is a special type of bird of prey. It belongs to the Accipitridae family, which includes eagles and kites. This hawk is the only species in its group, called Busarellus. You can find these birds in many places, from western Mexico all the way to Uruguay. They love living in warm, wet areas like tropical forests and swamps.
Contents
What Does a Black-Collared Hawk Look Like?
Adult black-collared hawks have a mostly white head. It might have a slight buff color and some black streaks on top. Their body, both above and below, is a bright cinnamon-red color. This color is a bit lighter on their chest.
- They have a black crescent shape on their upper chest.
- Their back has a few scattered black stripes.
- The long feathers on their wings and tail are black.
- The base of their tail has red-brown bars.
- Their eyes are a bright reddish-brown color.
- Their beak is black, and their legs are bluish-white.
Young black-collared hawks look similar to adults. However, they have more black blotches, even on their head. The red-brown bars on their tail are also more spread out. The light area on their chest is clearer. Their upper wings have bars, and their eyes are brown.
What Do Black-Collared Hawks Eat?
The black-collared hawk mainly eats fish. They are very good at catching them! But fish aren't the only thing on their menu. They also eat:
- Water bugs and other large insects
- Snakes and lizards
- Frogs
- Snails and other molluscs (like clams)
- Crustaceans (like crabs)
- Small birds and their babies
- Rodents and other small mammals
Where Do They Build Their Nests?
These hawks usually build their nests in large trees. Often, these trees are close to water. Sometimes, they even build nests in trees found in coffee farms or in towns. They line their nests with fresh green leaves. The female hawk lays about three to five eggs. These eggs are dull white with spots of light yellow-brown or red-brown. They might also have a few darker speckles. We don't know much more about how they raise their young.
Special Features of the Black-Collared Hawk
The black-collared hawk has a special feature on its feet. The bones at the base of its inner toe are joined together. Scientists think this helps the hawk keep its toe from bending backward when it catches slippery fish. This unique foot structure helps them hold onto their prey tightly.
Gallery
-
immature bird
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil -
Flying
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
_immature.JPG)
.jpg)
