Bird Album
Black Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus (Wied-Neuwied, M, 1820)
58–70 cmLength1 kgWeight
The black hawk-eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus), also known as the tyrant hawk-eagle, is a species of eagle found from central Mexico through Central America into the south of Brazil to Colombia, eastern Peru, and as far as northern Argentina.
Busiest months: January–February and October · Most records: Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama
Where and when it's recorded
Black Hawk-Eagle has been recorded at 531 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 20 countries and regions.
Records by month Northern Hemisphere
Where it's recorded most
- Black Rock LodgeBelize707 records
- Estación Biológica La Selva-OTSCosta Rica479 records
- Chaa CreekBelize472 records
More places
- Tapiraí – Trilha dos Tucanos LodgeBrazil439 records
- Arenal Observatory LodgeCosta Rica412 records
- Camino a El SaltoPanama352 records
- PE IntervalesBrazil346 records
- Laguna El TabacalColombia332 records
- Reserva San FranciscoPanama327 records
- Pipeline Road (Camino del Oleoducto)Panama321 records
Countries and regions with the most records
eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.
About
The black hawk-eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus), also known as the tyrant hawk-eagle, is a species of eagle found from central Mexico through Central America into the south of Brazil to Colombia, eastern Peru, and as far as northern Argentina. There are two known subspecies, S.t. tyrannus, which is found in Southeastern Brazil and Northeastern Argentina, and the slightly smaller S. t. serus, which can be found elsewhere throughout the species' range. Its preferred habitats include humid and moist forests close to rivers, and several types of woodland.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia
Questions
How big is the Black Hawk-Eagle?
The Black Hawk-Eagle is about 58–70 cm long and weighs around 1 kg.
Where does the Black Hawk-Eagle live?
Its breeding range: Middle America, South America: central Mexico to northeastern Argentina. It is most often recorded in Costa Rica, Brazil and Panama.
When is the best time to see the Black Hawk-Eagle?
At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in January, February and October (Northern Hemisphere).
Is the Black Hawk-Eagle endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the Black Hawk-Eagle as Least Concern.
What does the Black Hawk-Eagle eat?
Main food: Vertebrate prey.
What family is the Black Hawk-Eagle in?
It belongs to the family Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae), order Accipitriformes.
At a glance
- Length
- 58–70 cm
- Weight
- 1 kg
- Habitat
- Forest
- Diet
- Vertebrate prey
- Lifestyle
- Perches in trees
- Migration
- Resident (barely migrates)
- Conservation
- Least Concern
More measurements
- Wing
- 384 mm
- Tail
- 334 mm
- Bill
- 42 mm
- Tarsus
- 80 mm
Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.
Range
Middle America, South America: central Mexico to northeastern Argentina
Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2
Classification
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Kites, Hawks, Eagles Accipitridae
- Genus
- Spizaetus
Other birds in the genus Spizaetus
Black-and-white Hawk-EagleSpizaetus melanoleucus
Ornate Hawk-EagleSpizaetus ornatus
Black-and-chestnut EagleSpizaetus isidori
Pearl KiteGampsonyx swainsonii
Scissor-tailed KiteChelictinia riocourii
White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus
Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus
Black-shouldered KiteElanus axillaris
Letter-winged KiteElanus scriptus
African Harrier-HawkPolyboroides typus
Download illustration
Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Dave Wendelken. ↗
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