Savanna Hawk

Overview

The savanna hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) is a large raptor classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It inhabits open savannas and swamp edges and was formerly placed in the genus Heterospizias.

Identification

• Length of 46–61 cm and a weight of approximately 845 g.
• Adult plumage is rufous with grey mottling on the upperparts and fine black barring below.
• Features long, broad wings with black flight feathers and a tail banded in black and white.
• Possesses strikingly long yellow legs and perches in a very vertical posture.
• Vocalisation consists of a loud scream described as 'keeeeru'.
• Immature birds have darker, duller upperparts, paler underparts with coarser barring, and a whitish supercilium.

Habitat

Found in open savanna and swamp edges, the species breeds from Panama and Trinidad south to Bolivia, Uruguay and central Argentina. There are also reports of sightings in California, specifically from Alameda County in 1973 and San Diego County in 1974.

Diet

The savanna hawk feeds on a diverse diet including small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, toads, frogs, eels, other fish, crabs, roots, spiders, and large insects such as grasshoppers. It typically hunts from open high perches by swooping on prey but may also hunt on foot, and several birds sometimes gather at grass fires.

Did you know?

Reports indicate the presence of the savanna hawk in California, with specific sightings recorded in Alameda County in 1973 and San Diego County in 1974.