Bird Guide

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle vs Variable Hawk

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Huge2.4 kgShrubland

This is a huge eagle-like "buzzard" ("hawk" in American terminology). It has a total length of 62 to 76 cm (24 to 30 in) and a wingspan of 149 to 200 cm (4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 7 in). In the nominate race, males averaged 2.13 kg (4.7 lb) and females averaged 2.75 kg (6.1 lb), with a range between both of 1.67 to 3.17 kg (3.7 to 7.0 lb). In the linearly slightly smaller G. m. australis subspecies, a male weighed 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) and a female weighed 3.2 kg (7.1 lb), indicating the bulk of the two races is roughly the same. It is noted for its bulky, powerful-looking build.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, display calls · Imbabura: 12 km N Salinas, near turnoff to La Concepción, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joselodos · CC0
Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma)

Variable Hawk

Geranoaetus polyosoma

Large783 gShrubland

The name variable hawk is fully deserved, as both sexes occur in several morphs. Adults of all have a white tail with a contrasting black subterminal band and grey wings barred dark (in flight from below, the remiges appear whitish with fine barring and a broad black tip). The remaining plumage varies from very dark grey to whitish, and some individuals have reddish-brown to the underparts. Females usually have a reddish-brown back, which males usually lack, although at least some males also have this.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Variable Hawk
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Alarm call · Salta: Finca El Candado, Argentina · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ezequiel Racker · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Variable Hawk.