Common Black Hawk

The Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) is a striking, broad-winged raptor of the neotropics and subtropical Americas. Known for its distinctively dark plumage and affinity for water, this specialized hunter is a key indicator species of healthy riparian and coastal ecosystems. It is often found perched low over water bodies, scanning for its favored aquatic prey.

Adult Common Black Hawks are unmistakable when seen clearly. They are almost entirely soot-black, offset by bright yellow legs, feet, and a prominent yellow cere at the base of the bill. In flight, they show exceptionally broad, rounded wings and a short, blocky tail. The most diagnostic field mark is the tail: a single, bold, wide white band cuts across the middle of the black tail, finished with a narrow white tip. Underwing coverts are completely black, though a small whitish patch may be visible near the base of the primaries.

Juveniles are strikingly different, showing a heavily streaked dark brown and cream-colored body, a dark malar stripe, a pale cream-colored eyebrow, and a tail marked with numerous narrow dark and light bars.

Similar Species to Distinguish From

• Great Black Hawk: Shows noticeably longer yellow legs extending past the tail in flight, white upper-tail coverts (a white rump patch), and two white bands on the tail.
• Zone-tailed Hawk: Shows a grey-banded tail and flies with a pronounced V-shaped dihedral wings-up posture, mimicking a Turkey Vulture.

The Common Black Hawk is closely tied to water. Throughout most of its range, it occupies coastal mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and brackish estuaries. In the northernmost parts of its range (such as the southwestern United States), it inhabits mature desert riparian woodlands, particularly canyon floors dominated by sycamores and cottonwoods near permanent streams.

Its geographic range extends from southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas southward through Mexico and Central America to northwestern South America (Peru, Colombia, Venezuela) and the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago).

Vocalization

The species has a distinctive, high-pitched call consisting of a rapid, piping series of whistles, often transcribed as spink-spink-spink-spink-spink or wheee-pee-pee-pee-pee, which it utters while soaring or when defending its nesting territory.

Feeding and Diet

Common Black Hawks are low-perch ambush hunters. They sit quietly on low branches hanging over water, then drop suddenly onto prey. They are highly adept at walking on land or wading through shallow mud to catch crabs, fish, frogs, and reptiles.

Breeding and Nesting

Monogamous pairs build a large, bulky platform of sticks lined with green leaves. These nests are typically placed in the fork of a tall tree, such as a mature cottonwood, sycamore, or mangrove. They lay 1 to 3 eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female for about 38 days. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks.