Rufous-tailed Hawk
A species of Buzzards and Buteo Hawks Scientific name : Buteo ventralis Genus : Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Rufous-tailed Hawk, A species of Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Botanical name: Buteo ventralis
Genus: Buzzards and Buteo Hawks
Content
Description General Info
Description
The rufous-tailed hawk is similar to the red-tailed hawk. It was first recorded by Charles Darwin in Patagonia while on his voyage of the Beagle. The rufous-tailed hawk is a medium-sized hawk with a wing span of 45–60 cm. The overall size range of the hawk is 54–60 cm. There are two different colorations of the rufous-tailed hawk. The more common pale version of the hawk has a blackish brown upper parts, with a darker cap and cinnamon feathers along the side of the head and neck. The belly is white with dark markings and reddish brown coloration on it. The dark version is basically all black with whitish edging on the feathers. The call of the rufous-tailed hawk sounds like kee-ahrr. 
Size
60 cm
Feeding Habits
Rufous-tailed Hawk has a broad diet, consuming birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. This predator exhibits versatile hunting tactics in forests and prairies, and has a unique adaptability in its prey selection.
Habitat
Rufous-tailed Hawk typically resides in the interface of dense southern beech (Nothofagus) forests and adjacent steppe grasslands, spanning from sea level to elevations of about 1200-1500 meters. This species displays a predilection for regions characterized by high trees, including southern beech and Chile pine (Araucaria araucana), as well as open parklands and fields lined with trees. They are also known to inhabit open coastal grasslands and Patagonian upland brush-steppe. Their preferred setting includes mountainous areas with native forest or a mix of forest with agricultural prairie and/or forestry plantations, avoiding urban environments.
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Species Status
Rufous-tailed hawks are threatened by many factors, especially habitat loss. Rufous-tailed hawks have been losing their habitat because of logging, over grazing by sheep and cattle, and the growth of Pinus and Eucalyptus plantations. Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus are fast-growing invasive plants that were introduced in order to spur the timber industry in Chile. The other main threat to rufous-tailed hawks are local people, who sometimes kill these birds because rufous-tailed hawks attack and eat their domesticated animals.
Scientific Classification
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