| Variable (Red-backed) Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma (aka Red-backed Hawk Buteo polyosoma) Chilean name: Aguilucho |
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Chile and Ecuador The Variable Hawk is distributed in the central Andes and Pacific lowlands from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It seems to prefer more open habitat particularly scrubby areas where it hunts for its mainly mammal prey by hovering. |
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Its plumage is highly variable which is why Jaramillo and most other authorities call it "Variable Hawk". Its most constant feature is its white tail and black sub-terminal band. Males tend to have grey backs with largely grey or white underparts. The larger females typically have a rufous back but can have either white or rufous underparts. | |||
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Photos 3 and 4 show a juvenile. There are recordings and a distribution map on xeno-canto. |
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