Characterization: Medium-sized species, measuring about 36cm in length, with a rufous color on the base of its primary feathers (on the tips of the wings); the young ones have striated bellies. 

Distribution: From Mexico to Argentina and Brazil.

Habitat: Found even in large cities, provided there is sufficient afforestation.

Habits: A diurnal species, it only hunts for a few hours a day. This bird flies in the open, in couples, rapidly flapping their wings and circling, drawing attention for the characteristic noise it makes.

Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on large insects, lizards, small snakes, and birds, such as sparrows and doves, in addition to catching bats in their day perches.

Breeding: They lay 1 or 2 eggs, and during the hatching period the female is fed by the male.

In the UFRA area: This species of hawk had a broad distribution in the studied habitats. It was been spotted in the exotic woods, wetlands with grasses, in restored native forests, in mixed forests in regeneration, native forests, in drainage ditches, and in fields in spontaneous regeneration. It was spotted 25 times.