en/sustainability/biodiversity/animals/birds/white-tailed-hawk/559

Biodiversity

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White-tailed Hawk
Geranoaetus albicaudatus | Vieillot, 1816

Characterization: A rural species measuring about 55cm in length. It is a big hawk that can be found in cities. This bird has long and broad wings and a short white tail with a black stripe, a large rufous stain on the collar.

Distribution: It occurs from Mexico to Argentina.

Habitat: This bird inhabits countryside regions, savannas, Moriche palm plantations, alpine pastures, and its occurrence in eastern Brazil is favored by deforestation.

Habits: It flies into the wind in an elegant, elastic flight, hovering with motionless wings, moving only the primary ones and tail to keep flying. It sunbathes ruffling its feathers.

Diet: It eats large insects, frogs, rats, skunks, snakes and picking worms after the rain.

Breeding: This bird builds nests on trees or rocks with dry twigs.

In the UFRA area: In the studies carried out at UFRA areas, this species of bird had a restricted spatial distribution. It was found only in exotic woods.