Crane Hawk
NameCrane Hawk
Common NameCrane Hawk
Scientific NameGeranospiza caerulescens
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)75
Length (cm)46
Weight (g)325
Plumage DetailsAdults are uniformly dark slate-gray with bright red eyes and orange-red legs and cere. The long tail is black with two or three prominent white bands and a white tip.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of high-pitched, whistled 'whee-whee-whee' notes, often accelerating and descending in pitch.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound from Mexico through Central America and across much of South America, east of the Andes, south to northern Argentina.
Identifying Featureslong orange-red legs, bright red eyes, dark slate-gray plumage, black tail with white bands, flexible tarsal joint
Description
This medium-sized raptor is characterized by its slender body, long orange legs, and dark gray plumage. It is known for its unique flexible tarsal joint, allowing it to probe crevices for prey, a behavior often associated with its diet of tree-dwelling vertebrates.
