Rufous Crab Hawk
Buteogallus aequinoctialis
The Rufous Crab Hawk (Buteogallus aequinoctialis) is a rare kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 6 countries, weighing about 658 g. The rufous crab hawk or rufous crab-hawk, is a Near Threatened species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae.
About the Rufous Crab Hawk
The rufous crab hawk or rufous crab-hawk, is a Near Threatened species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae. It is found on Trinidad and along the South American coastline from eastern Venezuela to southern Brazil.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous crab hawk is 42.5 to 46 cm (17 to 18 in) in overall length with a 90 to 106 cm (35 to 42 in) wingspan. Males weigh 506 to 665 g (18 to 23 oz); females are heavier and weigh around 725 to 945 g (26 to 33 oz). Males and females have the same plumage. Adults' head, throat, and neck are sooty black and their back is dark rufous with light rufous edging. Their underparts are rufous with fine dark barring. The tail is black with a white tip and a thin white band. Their eyes are brown and their cere and feet are yellow to dusky orange. Voice: The rufous crab hawk's call is "a loud rather shrill whistle or laugh...'ke-kee-kee-kee-kew-kew'".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Rufous Crab Hawk can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous Crab Hawk?
- The rufous crab hawk is 42.5 to 46 cm (17 to 18 in) in overall length with a 90 to 106 cm (35 to 42 in) wingspan. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous Crab Hawk?
- The Rufous Crab Hawk is a large sized bird weighing about 658 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous Crab Hawk?
- The Rufous Crab Hawk occurs in 6 countries, including Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous Crab Hawk?
- The Rufous Crab Hawk is most easily confused with the Cuban Black Hawk, the Great Black Hawk and the Savanna Hawk.
- Is the Rufous Crab Hawk endangered?
- The Rufous Crab Hawk is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous Crab Hawk for real
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