The Common Black-Hawk is a medium sized hawk which forages and nests in riparian areas from the southwestern United States to the north-west and the north-central perimeter of South America. It is a rather stout hawk with broad, rounded wings and a short tail. It scans for prey from a well vegetated high perch and will move to closer perches if potential prey is detected. In the field, when perched, this hawk appears jet-black with contrasting yellow legs and cere. When flying, it is recognizable by its rather short yet relatively broad wings and a broad white tail band. Immatures appear black but have a buffy eyeline stripe and the underside is strongly streaked. Throughout its range it is associated with permanent water sources and tends to select riparian zones for foraging and nesting. It is often considered as an "obligate riparian nester."
SIZE
The Common Black Hawk exhibits some reversed size dimorphism with females being about five percent larger (by length) than males. Total length for both sexes range between 16.9 to 22.0 inches (43 to 56 centimeters) and averages about 21 inches (53 centimeters) with a wingspan of about 50 inches (127 centimeters). Males weigh about 1.74 pounds (790 grams) and females about 2.64 pounds (1,200 grams).
MORPHS
There are no light or dark color morphs for this species. Partial albinism has been found in South America but it is extremely rare.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
Adult - Flight
- all-black body
- underside of outer primaries show a white window
- tail is black with a single broad white band placed half way down and a thin white terminal band
- flight pattern is slow with methodical strong wingbeats
- soars on flat wings with tail completely fanned
Immature - Flight
- wing lining is buffy
- longer tail than adult
- secondaries and primaries are strongly barred
- tail is strongly banded with dark and light bands that are not evenly spaced or patterned
- terminal band widest
- primary feathers have a pale "window" which is white on top, and tawny on the under side
SIMILAR SPECIES
The Common Black-Hawk can be confused with the Zone-tailed Hawk, Black Vulture, and dark-morph buteos. It is important to remember that the Common Black Hawk has broad wings and a diagnostic tail band. The Zone-tailed Hawk has narrower wings, a longer tail, a different tail pattern, and flies in a teetering fashion. The Black Vulture lacks the characteristic bright yellow cere and legs and has larger white patches at the base of the primaries.
OTHER NAMES
Depending on place and time it is also known as "Black Hawk", "Crab Hawk", "Cuban Black-Hawk", Lesser Black-Hawk", "Mexican Crab Hawk", and "Mexican Black-Hawk."
ETYMOLOGY
The latin name for the Common Black-Hawk translates into the Coal Black Chicken Hawk. The genus Buteogallus means "chicken hawk" and anthracinus means "coal black."
