Black hawk-eagle

The black hawk-eagle, also known as the tyrant hawk-eagle, is an impressive bird of prey found from central Mexico through Central America, extending into Colombia, eastern Peru, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. This eagle has two subspecies, each occupying slightly different ranges. They thrive in humid and moist forests near rivers and various types of woodlands. While not exceedingly common, they can be spotted regularly throughout their range. The black hawk-eagle is closely related to the ornate hawk-eagle, sharing similarities in size, appearance, and behavior.

Visually, the black hawk-eagle is striking. It measures approximately 58–70 cm in length and weighs between 900–1,300 grams. Its plumage is predominantly black with unique patterns on its wings and body, complemented by some white speckling. The wings are barred and slightly elliptical, and it possesses a long, narrow tail that it rarely fans out. Notably, its tail features four grey bars and a distinctive white line above the eye. In flight, its wings appear broad and short, and it usually keeps its tail closed.

Despite being smaller compared to some other eagles, the black hawk-eagle is a formidable hunter. Its diverse diet includes large rodents, opossums, monkeys, and occasionally bats, birds, and reptiles. In Brazil, it is known as "Gavião-pega-macaco" which translates to "monkey-catching hawk" underscoring its capability to catch monkeys and other sizable prey like toucans and chachalacas.

Little is known about the black hawk-eagle's breeding habits. However, some studies, such as one conducted by The Peregrine Fund in Guatemala, have provided insights. Observations revealed that these eagles tend to build their nests about 25.5 meters high on lateral limbs, away from the tree's center. Both in the wild and in captivity, breeding pairs typically lay a single egg, with an incubation period of around 44 days.