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SEMIPLUMBEOUS HAWK  Leucopternis semiplumbeus 34–38cm, WS 56–

63cm Attractive, medium-size hawk of humid lowland forest and edge, adjacent

semi-open areas and plantations with taller trees. Hunts from perches, mainly

at mid-levels, and does not soar; flights usually short and low over canopy.

Sometimes sits on exposed perches at forest edge, where can be confiding.

Distinctive, with bright orange face and legs, clean white underparts, single

narrow white tail band. 1st-year has streaky head, fine dusky streaks on breast,

2 narrow white tail bands. Like adult in 2nd year. SOUNDS: High, thin, semi-

metallic, drawn-out whistle from perch, psiiiiiíh, to 1.5 secs, rising overall or

level. ‘Song’ comprises short series of plaintive whistles, hu’rieeh hu’rieeh..., with upward inflection.

STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on Caribbean slope, rarely to 800m. (Honduras to w. Ecuador.)

*NORTHERN WHITE HAWK  Pseudastur [albicollis] ghiesbreghti 48–56cm,

WS 114–132cm. Stunning, essentially unmistakable large hawk of humid

forest and edge; at a distance in flight cf. adult King Vulture. Singles and pairs

soar low over forest canopy in mid–late morning, often revealing their presence

by loud screaming calls. Wingbeats rather slow and floppy; soars on flattish

wings. Perches mainly in subcanopy, where easily overlooked. Juv. has more

extensive black on wings and tail; 2nd-year like adult but with some black

mottling on bases of secondaries, more extensive black in wing-tip; like adult in

3rd year. Eye varies from dark brown to honey-colored. SOUNDS: Drawn-out,

husky, slightly overslurred scream, 1–1.5 secs, typically repeated a few times; suggests a pig squealing.

STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1400m. (Mexico to nw. S America.)

BARRED (BLACK-CHESTED) HAWK  Morphnarchus princeps 52–60cm, WS

117–135cm. Large, broad-winged, and short-tailed hawk of humid foothill

and highland forest and edge; rarely seen perched. Hunts mainly from perches

inside forest, but singles and pairs often soar in mid–late morning, calling

loudly. Note shape, with very broad wings, short tail, diagnostic contrast

between dark head and neck and whitish underparts (barring on body and

underwing coverts visible at closer range). Juv. similar to adult but with blacker

head and breast, narrow whitish edgings to upperwing coverts. Like adult in

2nd year. SOUNDS:  Far-carrying, downslurred, slightly plaintive screaming

whistles, such as wh’ieeeu, repeated in flight. In ‘flight song,’ calls run into series of accelerating and

slowing, overslurred piping whistles, 4–7 notes/sec, wheeu, hiu-hiu...hlieh-hlieh..., up to 20 secs or longer.

Averages slower, more screaming, and less even-paced than Great Black Hawk. STATUS: Uncommon

locally on both slopes, mainly 500–2500m, rarely lower and up to 3000m; also reports from Nicoya and

Osa Peninsulas. (Costa Rica to nw. Ecuador.)