Black-faced Hawk
NameBlack-faced Hawk
Common NameBlack-faced Hawk
Scientific NameLeucopternis melanops
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)78
Length (cm)39
Weight (g)365
Plumage DetailsAdults have a pure white head, body, and tail, with a prominent black mask extending from the bill through the eye. The wings are entirely black, and the tail has a single broad black subterminal band. The cere and legs are orange.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a high-pitched, whistled 'wheee-oo' or 'kweee-ah', often given while soaring or perched.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Amazon basin of South America, including parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and the Guianas.
Identifying FeaturesWhite body and head, Black wings, Black facial mask, Orange cere and legs, Single broad black tail band
Description
The Black-faced Hawk is a small, striking raptor characterized by its predominantly white plumage contrasted with black wings and a distinctive black facial mask. It typically perches high in the canopy of tropical lowland forests, often near water, where it hunts for prey.
