The Common Black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) is a medium to large-sized hawk with broad rounded wings, and a hooked beak. The length is 20-22 inches (51-56 cm), wingspan 40-50 inches (102-127 cm), and a weight of 1.4-2.9 lbs (0.6-1.3 kg). As with most other raptor species, Common Black-hawks are sexually dimorphic, with the females being larger than the males. Adults are uniformly blackish except for the white 1-3 inch-wide median band on the short broad tail, which is the most distinctive identification mark for this species. The small white base of primaries, are not always visible. The sexes are similar and cannot be distinguished in the field with certainty except by behavioral differences, although many females have a longer light patch in the malar region below the eye. The iris of the eyes is brown. The cere (fleshy covering at the top of the beak), legs and facial skin are orange yellow to yellow; the bill tip is black.

Their range is from northern South America and Guyana, to Central America, throughout Mexico, to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, southwest New Mexico, western Texas, and southern Utah. Arrives in the U.S. to breed (northernmost breeding populations) as early as March-April, leaving by mid-October. Individuals occasionally overwinter in Arizona and New Mexico. Northernmost populations of N Mexico and S United States leave breeding area for the winter, while other populations are not known to migrate, and are presumed to be sedentary.

This species is thought to be long-lived. A nestling banded in 1977 was recovered 13 years and 6 months later. The voice of this hawk is unlike that of any other North American raptor. During the nesting season, the call is a load and hoarse piercing whistle, lasting three to four seconds and composed of about seven or eight notes that increase abruptly in intensity, then progressively decrease. The most commonly heard call is a nasal, high-pitched, cry alarm. The flight pattern alternates between strong flapping flight and gliding.

The Common Black-Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus, is found in the Southwestern United States, through Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America to Guyana. They also can be found in Cuba and The Isle of Pines.( Snyder 1991; Clark and Wheeler 1987; Johnsgard 1990)

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Breeding

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) BREEDING: Resident from central (rarely northwestern) Arizona, southwestern Utah (rarely), southern (rarely central) New Mexico, and western and (formerly) southern Texas, south through Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia, and east through coastal Venezuela and Trinidad to Guyana, French Guiana, and in the Lesser Antilles on St. Vincent. NON-BREEDING: Northernmost breeding populations in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico usually migrate southward in nonbreeding season (AOU 1998). Casual or accidental in southern Nevada, northcentral Texas, southern and western Texas away from breeding areas, and the Lesser Antilles; sight records from southern California and northern Baja California. Reports from Minnesota and southern Florida are probably based on escaped individuals, and may pertain in part to B. urubitinga (AOU 1998).

The Common Black-Hawk averages 53 centimeters in length (21 inches) and has a wingspan of 127 centimeters (50 inches).Like most other raptor species, Common Black-Hawks are sexually dimorphic, with the females being larger than the males.

 Both sexes exhibit the same coloration. The head, body, and wing coverts are coal black. The under wing is black with the exception of a small white mark at the base of the outer two or three primaries. The black tail has one wide white band and a thin white terminal band. The iris color is dark brown. The cere (the fleshy covering at the top of the beak), legs and facial skin are a bright orangish yellow.

In contrast to the adults, the immature Black-Hawk is dark brown with buffy streaking. Coloration of the head and face includes a buffy line over the eye, a dark eye-line, a buffy cheek, and a dark vertical stripe running down the face. The immature Black-Hawk's iris color is medium brown.

 (Clark and Wheeler 1987; National Geographic 1990; Johnsgard 1990 )

Range mass: 630 to 1300 g.

Average mass: 950 g.

Length: 53 cm

Weight: 1199 grams

Systems

• Terrestrial

Generally these birds inhabit lowland areas, with a source of water nearby where crabs, crayfish, or other aquatic foods are found. There are usually trees nearby for roosting and nesting. In Panama the birds are mainly found in coastal areas. They will range into the interior by following the course of a large river. In South and Central America the absence or presence of crabs may determine local presence of the species.

( Johnsgard 1990; Ridgely 1989; National Geographic 1999)

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; rainforest

Comments: Lowland forest, swamps and mangroves, in both moist and arid habitats but generally near water (along rivers and streams), also foraging often on tidal flats or in open woodland (Tropical and lower Subtropical zones) (AOU 1983). Often nests in woodlands near water; in U.S., nests in tall gallery forest trees, mostly cottonwoods supported by flowing water (Schnell et al. 1988). Nests in tree, 4-30 m above ground. May refurbish and use old nest.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Northernmost breeding populations in southwestern U.S. migrate southward after the breeding season; arrive in southern U.S. as early as March-April; most probably gone from U.S. by mid-October (Palmer 1988, Schnell et al. 1988).

The Black-Hawk primarily feeds on snakes, frogs, fishes, young birds, and land crabs. Sometimes the Black-Hawk supplements its diet with a variety of insects including grasshoppers and caterpillars. Reportedly, the Black-Hawks of Belize feed primarily on large land crabs.

( Johnsgard 1990, Ridgely 1989)

Comments: Feeds primarily on frogs, fishes, crabs, and reptiles. Also eats small mammals, insects. Opportunistic. Hunts primarily from perch close to stream or impoundment, often near ground; also walks on sandbars and mud flats in search of crabs and stranded fish (Palmer 1988, Terres 1980).

Buteogallus anthracinus preys on:
Egretta thula

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Unknown

Comments: U.S. population in the mid-1980s was estimated at about 220-250 pairs (Schnell et al. 1988).

Defends small territory, used year after year by returning individuals.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 13.5 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 13.5 years.

Maximum longevity: 13.5 years (wild)

The Black-Hawk breeding season runs from late February to late May. Copulation occurs about 15 to 90 meters from the nest on a branch or rock. The male may sweep down and land directly on the female, or he may perch beside her for a time before mounting. Up to four copulations per day occur as the egg laying period approaches. The nests of this species are usually built within 120 meters (480ft) of permanent flowing waters and is typically constructed 15 to 30 meters (60 to 120ft) above the ground. Occasionally nests have been found in rocky recesses. The clutch size is relatively small in this species, ranging from 1 to 3 eggs. The eggs have a granular surface,and the color of the eggs are grayish white with small specks and blotches. The eggs measure about 57x45 mm (2.5 X 1.5 inches). Incubation lasts for 38 to 39 days. Fledging period is between 43 to 50 days, and post-fledging dependence of the juvenile on the adult lasts 6 to 8 weeks.

 (Johnsgard 1990; Ridgely 1989)

Average eggs per season: 1.

Clutch size in Arizona usually 2, sometimes 1. Incubation reportedly about 38 days, by both sexes. In Arizona, 75% of clutches hatched latter half of May (one in late July). Young tended by both sexes, first fly at 6-7 weeks, independent in another 1.5-2 months.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 5 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 5
Species: 5
Species With Barcodes: 1

Currently the North, Central, and South American populations of Black-Hawks seem to be self sustaining, but the species exibits a low reproduction rate. Conservation of the Black-Hawk depends on maintaining vital regions of riparian habitat, like Aravaipa Canyon Preserve in Arizona which is free of disturbance and development. It is considered threatened in Texas.

 ( Johnsgard 1990; Ridgely 1989; Texas Parks and Wildlife 2000)

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N3B - Vulnerable

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: Widespread in appropriate habitat; however, there are some concerns over the long-term health of the required riparian and freshwater habitats.

Population

Population Trend

Global Short Term Trend: Unknown

Comments: U. S. population thought to be stable but precarious (Schnell 1994).

Comments: Threatened in the United States by the alteration or elimination of riparian habitat through clearing, water diversion, diking and damming, and lowering of the water table by underground pumping (Schnell et al. 1988, Schnell 1994). At least 95% of the riparian habitat in the southwestern United States have been lost, altered, or degraded (Ohmart 1994). Presumably, similar threats exist in other parts of the range.

Management Requirements: Management recommendations include: protecting and enhancing frog and fish populations near nest sites and favoring regeneration of gallery forest trees by periodic suppression or elimination of livestock grazing (Palmer 1988, Schnell et al. 1988). See Lefranc and Glinski (1988) for information on research needs and management recommendations for southwestern U.S.

Unknown

Comments: Here includes Buteogallus anthracinus subtilis (Stiles and Skutch 1989; Howell and Webb 1995; Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). Formerly included B. gundlachii, now separated because of differences in size, plumage and voice (Wiley and Garrido, 2005).