Geography/Habitat:
The Zone-tailed Hawk, (Buteo albonotatus), is widely regarded as being monotypic although some authorities describe two subspecies, separating the South American birds as a separate race.
First described by Kaup in 1847 in Mexico, its range extends from the southwest U.S. through Central America and north and east South America (circling the Amazon). There is also an isolated population in Peru. Generally a resident species, but there is migration seen in the southern U.S. population.
Preferred habitat is often wooded rocky canyons, but typically travels to more open spaces such as deserts and grasslands to hunt.
They nest in tall trees usually on a hill or canyon side. Its nest is a simple but bulky mass of sticks and twigs sometimes lined with plant material. One to four whitish eggs are laid and incubated for 35 days primarily by the female. Nestlings leave after a month, but during that time one parent feeds the young while the other acts as a protector.
Zone-tailed Hawks feed on other smaller birds, insects, reptiles, small mammals, and even fish. However, streams with crustaceans and frogs etc. can be their favorite food and provide a good location in which to find them.
Identification:
A blackish/gray hawk with defused white linings in the trailing half of wing, they look superficially like a turkey vulture with which it often associates. The tail is distinctive with a broad white band, and two thinner ones not normally noticed, and thick black edge. Note the yellow legs and beak. Juveniles are similar but lighter with more bared wings and tail.
Call is a harsh “kree-arr” often repeated rapidly in flight
Interesting Facts:
· Zone-tailed Hawks mimic the appearance and V-shaped wing pattern of the Turkey Vulture. It is believed this is to lure prey desensitized to the vulture’s appearance as a non-threat.
· Zone-tails have amazing eye sight and can spot prey from over 300 feet away.
· Zone-tails have a stunning courtship display diving and swooping around including barrel rolls etc.
· A group of hawks is called a boil, a knot, a spiraling, a stream, or a tower.
