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DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE  Harpagus bidentatus 32–36cm, 64–74cm. Small,

rather accipiter-like kite of humid forest and edge, adjacent plantations, taller

second growth. Often one of the first rainforest raptors to soar in mid-morning,

as singles or pairs, at times stooping in display flights. Typical flight on

distinctively bowed wings, with tail closed and puffy white undertail coverts

flared; at other times soars on flattish wings, tail slightly spread, much like an

accipiter. Perches quietly in subcanopy and at edges; at times accompanies

bands of monkeys, which flush prey from foliage. In flight note slightly paddle-

shaped wings (longer than accipiters’), whitish underwing coverts, bold dark

barring on primaries; on adult, rusty underparts contrast with white underwing coverts, cf. accipiters. On

perched birds note greenish-yellow facial skin, dark median throat stripe; double notch on cutting edge

of bill (double ‘tooth’) rarely visible in field. Cf. adult Cooper’s Hawk (p. 114), Broad-winged Hawk

(p. 116). SOUNDS: High thin whistles given in flight by displaying birds and pairs, tseéu-ip, and tseéu tsee-u,

faster tsip tsí-yiip, and variations; high, slightly shrill whistled shiiep from perched bird. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common on both slopes, to 1500m, least numerous and more local in drier nw. lowlands.

(Mexico to S America.)

HOOK-BILLED KITE  Chondrohierax uncinatus 38–46cm, WS 81–94cm.

Medium-size, broad-winged kite with large bill, bright facial skin, variable

plumage. Found in varied wooded and forested habitats, from mangroves to

highland oak forest; feeds mainly on land snails. Soars often, but rarely for long

periods, mainly in mid–late morning, at times in small groups. Wingbeats

rather loose and floppy, suggesting a larger bird. Soars with wings flattish, tail

slightly to widely spread. The floppy wingbeats and paddle-shaped wings, with

pinched-in bases and spread-fingered hands, separate Hook-billed Kite from

superficially similar buteos, which have stiffer wingbeats, different tail patterns.

Cf. larger Ornate Hawk Eagle, imm. Gray-headed Kite. On perched birds note big bill, bright facial skin,

small feet. Adult male barred gray below (can appear dark against the sky, with bold white checkering in

primaries), female barred rusty; 1st-year plain whitish below or with variable dark barring. Scarce dark

morph (sexes similar) blackish overall with 1–2 broad pale tail bands. SOUNDS: Infrequently heard. From

perch, a rapid, overslurred, slightly chuckling chatter of about 10–20 notes, weh keh-eh-eh..., 1–1.5 secs;

may suggest a woodpecker. STATUS: Uncommon but widespread on both slopes to 1500m, rarely to

2700m. (Mexico to S America.)

GRAY-HEADED KITE  Leptodon cayanensis 45–53cm, WS 92–107cm. Fairly

large, broad-winged kite of humid lowland forest and edge, gallery woodland,

taller mangroves. Soars on flattish wings, tail rarely spread wide; wingbeats

typically languid and easy. In display, interrupts glides with short steep climbs

powered by deep, quick, floppy wingbeats followed by a brief glide down with

wings held in deep V. Adult distinctive, with soft gray head, dark eyes, blue-gray

cere and feet; in flight, black underwing coverts contrast with white body. Imm.

plumages variable: note long broad tail with broad pale bands, small feet, brownish

eyes. Cf. Hook-billed Kite, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle. SOUNDS: From perch

and in flight display, a fairly rapid, steady, at times rather prolonged series of hollow laughing clucks, 4–5

notes/sec, kyuh-kyuh..., or keh-keh..., usually 5–12 secs; recalls Lineated Woodpecker but lower, less nasal,

with shorter notes. Overslurred to slightly inflected wailing meeaowh, rather mammal-like, about 1 sec.

STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes to 1000m, rarely to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)