Sunday, February 26, 2012

>Leucopternis semiplumbeus (Semiplumbeous Hawk)

Semiplumbeous Hawk



Semiplumbeous Hawk
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Falconiformes (but see there)
Family:Accipitridae
Genus:Leucopternis
Species:L. semiplumbeus
Binomial name
Leucopternis semiplumbeus
Lawrence, 1861
The Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) is a species of bird of prey in theAccipitridae family.
It is found in ColombiaCosta RicaEcuadorHonduras, and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The semiplumbeous hawk is a small bird, averaging about 12-13 inches in length (approximately the size of a kestrel or merlin). The semiplumbeous hawk is easily identifiable due to its striking orange cere and black face mask. Rarely seen in flight, these hawks typically perch silently on a high branch, waiting for prey. The semiplumbeous hawk often follows swarms of army ants in order to capture antbirds, which, along with other small songbirds, make up a large portion of its diet. The overall population of semiplumbeous hawks is small - estimated at 1,000 to 10,000 mature birds - and declining.

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