Galapagos Hawk
A species of Buzzards and Buteo Hawks Scientific name : Buteo galapagoensis Genus : Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Galapagos Hawk, A species of Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Botanical name: Buteo galapagoensis
Genus: Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Photo by David J. Stang , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Galapagos hawk is similar in size to the red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and the Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni) of North America, but the size is variable across the islands as is recorded for many animals native to the Galapagos. They appear to be somewhat more heavily built than those well-known mainland species, and going on average weights, this species is the second heaviest Buteo in the Americas, behind only the ferruginous hawk. The Galapagos hawk can range from 45 to 58 cm (18 to 23 in) in length from beak to tail with a wingspan of 116 to 140 cm (46 to 55 in). The smallest hawk sizes recorded are on Marchena Island, where males average 844 g (29.8 oz) and females average 1,223 g (43.1 oz). Intermediate in size are the hawks of Santiago Island, on which males weigh an average of 963 g (34.0 oz) while females average 1,295 g (45.7 oz). Largest known are the hawks on Española Island, which are amongst the largest Buteo known anywhere, with males averaging 1,137 g (40.1 oz) and females averaging 1,578 g (55.7 oz). The adult hawk has various coloring within the species. The adult Galapagos hawk is generally a sooty brownish-black color; the crown being slightly blacker than the back. Its feathers of the mantle are partially edged with paler brown, grey, or buff, with their white bases showing to some extent. Their tail coverts are also barred with white. The tail itself is silvery grey above, with about ten narrow black bars; below it is quite pale. The wing feathers are paler on inner webs, barred with white. Below it has indistinct rufous edges to the feathers of the flanks and lower abdomen. The under-tail coverts are barred with white. Under-wing coverts are black, contrasting with the pale bases of the wing quills. The eyes are brown, the beak greyish black, paler at its base which is known as the 'cere', legs, and feet are yellow. The male hawk is smaller than the female hawk, as with many birds of prey. The young hawks however appear quite different from the adults in that they are well camouflaged with an overall brown appearance with varying amounts of striping below and paler mottling above. Their eyes are light grey-brown, and the beak black, blue-grey at its base. The cere is grey-green, the feet pale yellow-green. When the immature plumage becomes badly worn, the pale areas become almost white. The Galapagos hawk has broad wings and a broad tail. It is an apex predator and possesses excellent vision. Their young appear different from adults because they are darker and have camouflage which aids them in remaining protected from potential predators until they are fully grown. 
Size
56 cm
Feeding Habits
Galapagos Hawk primarily consumes insects, lava lizards, small rodents, iguana hatchlings, and swipes the eggs and chicks of birds. Carrion, too, is part of their diet. Hunting in collaborative groups, the dominant galapagos Hawk eats first while others wait. Adapted to hunt from perches or while soaring, galapagos Hawk exhibits curiosity around humans, scavenging in camps.
Habitat
Galapagos Hawk populates a diverse range of environments, from coastal lines to stark lava expanses, plains, and forests—including both dense deciduous woodlands at lower altitudes and Scalesia-rich high-altitude zones. This raptor also occupies arid zones where cactus and thorn scrub prevail, suitable for nesting. It is adapted to thrive from sea level up to elevations of 1700 meters, showcasing a high degree of ecological versatility within its insular habitat.
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Behavior
Because the seasons of the island are unchanging due to the close proximity of the equator, there is no regular mating season. Mating takes place a few times a day on a nearby perch or in flight. It begins when males make fake attacks on the female from behind by dive-bombing her, and then the male follows the female as she descends to the trees below. While males tend to be monogamous, the females will mate with up to seven different males during the mating season. Throughout the entire nesting period, the female and her males take turns protecting the nest and incubating the eggs, even participating in the feeding. Nests are built low in trees, on lava ledges, or even on the ground at times. Used for many years and nesting periods, they become quite large, sometimes even four feet in diameter. Stick structures are lined with grass, bark, clumps of leaves, or other available soft materials. The mating pair is together with the majority of the time at the prime of the egg-laying season and usually stays close to the nesting site. The nest is maintained constantly with fresh, green twigs. Normally one to three eggs are laid, green-white in color, but only one young is reared. Young hawks leave the nest around 50–60 days after hatching. Juvenile hawks will not enter the territorial breeding areas until they reach the age of three, becoming sexually mature. Although these birds are generally fearless, they will abandon their nest if it has been tampered with by humans.
Species Status
VULNERABLE. Has small population, spread over eight islands of Galapagos Archipelago.
Scientific Classification
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