Bird
Bird
White-tailed Hawk
Geranoaetus albicaudatus
The White-tailed Hawk is a large, pale raptor of open savanna and grassland, often seen soaring high on broad wings or hunting from a fence post over Trinidad's drier open country.
The White-tailed Hawk is a large, pale raptor of open savanna and grassland, often seen soaring high on broad wings or hunting from a fence post over Trinidad's drier open country.
Identification
A large, bulky hawk around 46 to 59 cm long, with pale grey upperparts, a rufous shoulder patch, whitish underparts, and a short white tail crossed by a single black band near the tip. Immatures are considerably darker and more heavily streaked, taking several years to reach adult plumage. In flight the broad wings and short tail give it a distinctive silhouette while soaring.
Behaviour
Hunts over open grassland and savanna, either soaring at height scanning the ground or watching from an elevated perch, taking snakes, lizards, rodents, and large insects, sometimes following grass fires to catch fleeing prey. It is well adapted to open country and rarely enters closed forest, favouring Trinidad's drier savanna habitats.
Status in T&T
Found in savanna and open grassland habitats in Trinidad, generally uncommon and localised to suitable open country. Not considered threatened at a global level. It is protected as native wildlife under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.
Threats
- Loss of open savanna habitat to development
