White hawk

The white hawk is a striking bird of prey native to the tropical regions of the New World. It belongs to the Accipitridae family, and while it is commonly placed in the Buteoninae subfamily, its precise classification remains a topic of scientific debate.

Adult white hawks are easily recognizable by their pure white heads, bodies, and underwings, set against black upper wings and a short black tail marked with a white band. Females are generally larger than males, and juvenile birds exhibit some black spotting on their upper parts. The call of the white hawk has been described as a distinctive "kerwee."

There are four subspecies of the white hawk, each displaying unique characteristics. These birds inhabit lowland forests and woodlands extending from southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. They are also found breeding in Trinidad. White hawks primarily prey on reptiles, insects, and small mammals, often swooping down from a perch or occasionally hunting in association with tufted capuchin monkeys and South American coatis. They are also renowned for their impressive soaring abilities and elaborate aerial courtship displays.

For nesting, white hawks construct large stick platform nests in trees, typically laying a single blue-white egg with dark blotches. The species is not considered globally at risk due to its extensive range. For instance, in Ecuador, a white hawk nest was observed being attended to in mid-August.