Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus)

Identification & Behavior: ~57 cm (22.4 in). The Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle is mostly white with a black back and a barred tail. It has a black patch on the crown, pale yellow eyes, and bright orange ceres. The legs are feathered. It is very similar to the juvenile light morph of a Gray-headed Kite but is distinguished by larger size, feathered legs, and finer bars in the tail. Forages in the interior forest, but soars frequently. Also, see White Hawk.

Status: The Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle is rare in Amazonia where is known to range up to 1400 m along the foothill of the Andes. It appears not to occur on the north side of the Amazon and Marañon Rivers. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Aguila Blanca y Negra.

Sub-species: Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus), Vieillot 1816.

Meaning of Name: Spizaetus: Gr. spizas= falcon and aetos= eagle. melanoleucos: melas= black eleukos= whiten melanoleucos= black and white.

See more of the Family Accipitridae