It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America, including the Falkland Islands. Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into the widespread red-backed hawk (G. polyosoma) and the Puna hawk or Gurney's hawk (G. poecilochrous) of the central and north Andean highlands, but the differences between the two are unclear. Most recent authorities have supported the lumping together of the two hawks although the issue still is controversial.[3][4] On the contrary, the rare taxon from the Juan Fernández Islands is relatively distinctive, and possibly worthy of species recognition as the Juan Fernández hawk (B. exsul).[5] In this article and most current accounts, the three races are regarded as subspecies.
The name variable hawk is fully deserved, as both sexes occur in several morphs. Adults of all have a white tail with a contrasting black subterminal band and grey wings barred dark (in flight from below, the remiges appear whitish with fine barring and a broad black tip). The remaining plumage varies from very dark grey to whitish, and some individuals have reddish-brown to the underparts. Females usually have a reddish-brown back, which males usually lack, although at least some males also have this.[4] The taxon exsul from the Juan Fernández Islands is far less variable, being whitish below and grey above in adults of both sexes.[5] At least 27 distinct adult plumages are known in this species, possibly the most of any raptor (although the widespread red-tailed hawk & Eurasian buzzard have also been noted for a widespread but more uniform spectrum of plumage variations[6]) with no relationship to morphometric variables and only minor geographic variation.[7]
Sizeedit
Size is also variable in this confusing species. Lengths can range from 45 to 62 cm (18–25 in) and wingspans from 113 to 151 cm (45–60 in). Weights can range from 800 to at least 1,800 grams (1.8-4 lbs).[8] The Puna hawk subspecies is generally considered to be at the larger end of the size spectrum and the red-backed hawk at the smaller (Juan Hernandez hawk being intermediate), but these distinctions are difficult at best in the field. Overall, however, this species rates as a large Buteo.
Habitatedit
Variable hawks occupy open habitats at all elevations. The red-backed race inhabits the widest range of areas of the variable hawk races, including above tree line in mountains, Pacific coastal foothills, Patagoniansteppes, agricultural areas and edges of river galleries, beech woods and humid premontane and lowland forests. Though often the most likely race to be found in lowlands, even the red-backed is less than common below an elevation of 500 m (up to 3,000 m). The Juan Fernandez race is found on the islands' volcanic slopes and barren grazed grasslands at all elevations. The Puna race are often a common element above tree line in páramo and puna habitat, at higher elevations (5,000+ m) than almost any other raptor. Smaller numbers of the latter race may visit mountain scrub and stunted Polylepis woodland at as low 900 m (but rarely below 2,900 m).
Behavioredit
They are most often seen soaring on warm thermals but may be seen on almost any type of raised perch (from sign posts to large trees). They prey on almost any small to medium-sized animals that can be caught, but smallish mammals comprise more than 90% of prey in some studies. The most commonly recorded prey includes cavies, tuco-tucos, rabbits, mice and páramo rats. Earthworms, weevils, orthopterans and other invertebrates are often taken. Birds are sometimes taken, including tired petrels around Juan Fernández Islands. Other prey include other rodents & lagomorphs, frogs, lizards, snakes, and fish. The variable hawk hunts with prey being spotted while soaring from the air and pinned on the ground.
Breeding is at various seasons and may be variable for all races. They build large stick nests on any elevated structure available, and sometimes breed cooperatively.[9] One to three eggs are laid. The incubation period is 26 to 36 days. The nestlings fledge anywhere from 40 to 74 days. The larger-bodied, high-elevation hawks take longer to incubate and much longer to fledge than lower elevation hawks.
Referencesedit
^BirdLife International (2016). "Geranoaetus polyosoma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22735520A95113871. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735520A95113871.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v10.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.2.
^South American Classification Committee (2007). Merge Buteo poecilochrous into B. polyosoma.. Accessed 10-07-2009
^ abSouth American Classification Committee (2009). Re-split Buteo poecilochrous from B. polyosoma.. Accessed 10-07-2009
^ abJaramillo, A. Burke, P., & Beadle, D. (2003). Birds of Chile. Christopher Helm. ISBN0-7136-4688-8
^"Raptors of the World" by Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead & Burton. Houghton Mifflin (2001), ISBN0-618-12762-3.
^Farquhar, C. C. (1998). "Buteo polyosoma and B. Poecilochrous, the "Red-Backed Buzzards" of South America, Are Conspecific". The Condor. 100 (1): 27–43. doi:10.2307/1369894. JSTOR 1369894.
^Jaksic, Fabian M.; Iriarte, J. Agustín; Jiménez, Jaime E. (June 2002). "Las rapaces del Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile: biodiversidad y conservación" [The raptors of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: biodiversity and conservation]. Revista chilena de historia natural (in Spanish). 75 (2): 449–461. doi:10.4067/S0716-078X2002000200014.
"Raptors of the World" by Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead & Burton. Houghton Mifflin (2001), ISBN0-618-12762-3.
Media related to Geranoaetus polyosoma at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Geranoaetus polyosoma at Wikispecies
January 01, 1970
variable, hawk, variable, hawk, geranoaetus, polyosoma, polymorphic, species, bird, prey, family, accipitridae, female, falkland, islands, source, source, adult, flight, while, circling, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, classification, d. The variable hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma is a polymorphic species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae Variable hawk Female in the Falkland Islands source source Adult in flight while circling Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Accipitriformes Family Accipitridae Genus Geranoaetus Species G polyosoma Binomial name Geranoaetus polyosoma Quoy amp Gaimard 1824 Subspecies 2 G p polyosoma Quoy amp Gaimard 1824 G p exsul Salvin 1875 G p poecilochrous Gurney Sr 1879 G p fjeldsai Cabot J amp de Vries 2009 Synonyms Buteo poecilochrous Gurney 1879 Buteo polyosoma It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America including the Falkland Islands Its taxonomy is disputed with some splitting it into the widespread red backed hawk G polyosoma and the Puna hawk or Gurney s hawk G poecilochrous of the central and north Andean highlands but the differences between the two are unclear Most recent authorities have supported the lumping together of the two hawks although the issue still is controversial 3 4 On the contrary the rare taxon from the Juan Fernandez Islands is relatively distinctive and possibly worthy of species recognition as the Juan Fernandez hawk B exsul 5 In this article and most current accounts the three races are regarded as subspecies Contents 1 Description 2 Size 3 Habitat 4 Behavior 5 ReferencesDescription edit nbsp Dark morph individual Near Santiago The name variable hawk is fully deserved as both sexes occur in several morphs Adults of all have a white tail with a contrasting black subterminal band and grey wings barred dark in flight from below the remiges appear whitish with fine barring and a broad black tip The remaining plumage varies from very dark grey to whitish and some individuals have reddish brown to the underparts Females usually have a reddish brown back which males usually lack although at least some males also have this 4 The taxon exsul from the Juan Fernandez Islands is far less variable being whitish below and grey above in adults of both sexes 5 At least 27 distinct adult plumages are known in this species possibly the most of any raptor although the widespread red tailed hawk amp Eurasian buzzard have also been noted for a widespread but more uniform spectrum of plumage variations 6 with no relationship to morphometric variables and only minor geographic variation 7 Size editSize is also variable in this confusing species Lengths can range from 45 to 62 cm 18 25 in and wingspans from 113 to 151 cm 45 60 in Weights can range from 800 to at least 1 800 grams 1 8 4 lbs 8 The Puna hawk subspecies is generally considered to be at the larger end of the size spectrum and the red backed hawk at the smaller Juan Hernandez hawk being intermediate but these distinctions are difficult at best in the field Overall however this species rates as a large Buteo Habitat editVariable hawks occupy open habitats at all elevations The red backed race inhabits the widest range of areas of the variable hawk races including above tree line in mountains Pacific coastal foothills Patagonian steppes agricultural areas and edges of river galleries beech woods and humid premontane and lowland forests Though often the most likely race to be found in lowlands even the red backed is less than common below an elevation of 500 m up to 3 000 m The Juan Fernandez race is found on the islands volcanic slopes and barren grazed grasslands at all elevations The Puna race are often a common element above tree line in paramo and puna habitat at higher elevations 5 000 m than almost any other raptor Smaller numbers of the latter race may visit mountain scrub and stunted Polylepis woodland at as low 900 m but rarely below 2 900 m Behavior editThey are most often seen soaring on warm thermals but may be seen on almost any type of raised perch from sign posts to large trees They prey on almost any small to medium sized animals that can be caught but smallish mammals comprise more than 90 of prey in some studies The most commonly recorded prey includes cavies tuco tucos rabbits mice and paramo rats Earthworms weevils orthopterans and other invertebrates are often taken Birds are sometimes taken including tired petrels around Juan Fernandez Islands Other prey include other rodents amp lagomorphs frogs lizards snakes and fish The variable hawk hunts with prey being spotted while soaring from the air and pinned on the ground Breeding is at various seasons and may be variable for all races They build large stick nests on any elevated structure available and sometimes breed cooperatively 9 One to three eggs are laid The incubation period is 26 to 36 days The nestlings fledge anywhere from 40 to 74 days The larger bodied high elevation hawks take longer to incubate and much longer to fledge than lower elevation hawks References edit BirdLife International 2016 Geranoaetus polyosoma IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22735520A95113871 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22735520A95113871 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Gill F D Donsker amp P Rasmussen Eds 2020 IOC World Bird List v10 2 doi 10 14344 IOC ML 10 2 South American Classification Committee 2007 Merge Buteo poecilochrous into B polyosoma Accessed 10 07 2009 a b South American Classification Committee 2009 Re split Buteo poecilochrous from B polyosoma Accessed 10 07 2009 a b Jaramillo A Burke P amp Beadle D 2003 Birds of Chile Christopher Helm ISBN 0 7136 4688 8 Raptors of the World by Ferguson Lees Christie Franklin Mead amp Burton Houghton Mifflin 2001 ISBN 0 618 12762 3 Farquhar C C 1998 Buteo polyosoma and B Poecilochrous the Red Backed Buzzards of South America Are Conspecific The Condor 100 1 27 43 doi 10 2307 1369894 JSTOR 1369894 Jaksic Fabian M Iriarte J Agustin Jimenez Jaime E June 2002 Las rapaces del Parque Nacional Torres del Paine Chile biodiversidad y conservacion The raptors of Torres del Paine National Park Chile biodiversity and conservation Revista chilena de historia natural in Spanish 75 2 449 461 doi 10 4067 S0716 078X2002000200014 Overview Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma Neotropical Birds cornell edu Raptors of the World by Ferguson Lees Christie Franklin Mead amp Burton Houghton Mifflin 2001 ISBN 0 618 12762 3 nbsp Media related to Geranoaetus polyosoma at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Data related to Geranoaetus polyosoma at Wikispecies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Variable hawk amp oldid 1213707031, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
