ABOUT THIS SPECIES
HOOK-BILLED KITE – (Species Account Weblog #87)
TAXONOMIC TREE:
- ORDER: Accipitriformes,
- FAMILY: Accipitridae,
- BINOMIAL NAME: Chondrohierax uncinatus
The Hook-billed Kite is a widespread raptor of tropical America, sometimes reaching as far north as southern Texas. It may be recognized in all plumages by its fiercely hooked invoice and yellow or orange spots on face and invoice. In flight, observe the blunt, bulbous wings, strongly barred flight feathers, and broad tail bands. Male is generally grey with faint white or tan barring on the underparts. Feminine has a brown collar and brown and white barred underparts; the sample and colour differ considerably all through its vary. Juvenile is generally white under with very sparse barring. (from Birds of the World)
SIMILAR SPECIES
Adults, if seen properly when perched, are unlikely to be confused. Their massive, strongly hooked invoice, pale eye with an orange spot in entrance, and greenish lores are distinctive. For probably the most half, when flying, their distinctive paddle-shaped silhouette and their moderately free, floppy wing beats, serve to separate Hook-billed Kite from superficially comparable species.
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
PERSONAL OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
In Costa Rica we noticed 6 or 7 Hook-billed Kites at a chayote farm close to Ujarrás, Cartago Province.
PHOTO GALLERY
**A few of these Photograph Gallery photographs (all taken by me) have been taken in different close by international locations.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
View the 5 most up-to-date Birds & Birding in Costa Rica collection weblog posts under.
