AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Buteogallus anthracinus
Common Black Hawk
(Deppe, 1830)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
The Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) is a medium to large raptor with a robust build and exceptionally broad, rounded wings. As its name implies, its plumage is a deep, uniform coal-black, with a slight slaty tint. Its most distinctive anatomical feature is its short black tail, which is crossed by a single, broad white horizontal band in the middle and ends in a fine white tip. At the base of its robust grayish bill, it has an area of bare skin (cere) of an intense yellow color, the same color as its long, strong legs. Juveniles are very different, with a mottled dark brown back and a pale belly with thick dark streaks.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Accipitriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Accipitridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Buteogallus
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Deppe, 1830)
Record Completeness
85%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Dry Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is a raptor closely associated with water. It inhabits almost exclusively coastal and riparian ecosystems, showing a strong preference for mangrove forests, gallery forests, estuaries, wooded swamps, and margins of slow rivers. It avoids dense mountainous forests and dry, waterless plains. In Costa Rica, it is one of the most common raptors along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, being the undisputed king of the mangroves of the Gulf of Nicoya, Térraba-Sierpe, and the lower Caribbean coast.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a static ambush hunter. It spends long hours perched silently on low, shaded branches overhanging the water or mangrove mud. When it detects movement, it drops down in a short, direct flight, snatching the prey with its talons without fully submerging. Despite being a large raptor, it can be quite passive and tolerant of human proximity if undisturbed on its perch. Occasionally, they are seen soaring high in circles on thermal currents, calling loudly.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
It is a generally solitary bird or found in pairs during the breeding season. They are highly territorial regarding their feeding zones along the river or estuary.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Carnivore / Crustacivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Carnivorous mesopredator of coastal ecosystems. Although terrestrial and semi-aquatic crabs dominate its diet, it also hunts stranded fish, frogs, small water snakes, lizards, and chicks of other waterbirds. Healthy adults have few natural predators. Eggs and chicks can fall victim to raccoons, white-faced capuchin monkeys, snakes, and larger raptors.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
They are monogamous. Both members of the pair build a bulky nest made of sticks and branches, usually lined with green leaves, located in a high fork of a tree (very often a large mangrove) near or directly over the water. The female lays 1 or 2 white eggs with brown spots. Incubation takes about 37 to 39 days. The chicks are fed in the nest (mainly with torn pieces of crab meat) and fledge between 43 and 50 days of age.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
43.0 - 53.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
630 g - 1.20 kg
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.1 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
24 - 36 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
37 - 39
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 15 Years
Females10 - 15 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Visually identical to the female in terms of plumage coloration.
Females Multi-lang
Identical in plumage, but the female is noticeably larger and heavier than the male (a common evolutionary trait in raptors called reverse sexual dimorphism).
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Strong, Scaly Legs (Crab Specialist): Unlike hawks that hunt birds in flight, the black hawk has long legs with thick scales designed for wading in shallow water or walking through mangrove mud. Its strong talons are adapted to pierce and crush the hard shells of crabs.
Canopy Flight (Broad Wings): Its wings are unusually broad in relation to its body, giving it great lift capacity. This allows it to maneuver slowly and precisely among the mangrove branches and forest canopy to descend silently upon its prey.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Mangrove Destruction: Its almost exclusive dependence on mangrove ecosystems and riparian forests makes it extremely vulnerable to logging for coastal development, aquaculture (shrimp farms), and tourist resorts.
Chemical Pollution: Being at the top of the food chain in its habitat, pesticides and heavy metals washed down by rivers bioaccumulate in the crabs and fish it consumes, affecting its reproductive success.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Alarm Call: They are surprisingly vocal birds. Their call is a very characteristic sound of tropical rivers: a high-pitched, rapid, and repetitive series of whistles that sound like 'spink-spink-spink-spink-spiiiink!' or similar to the squeak of a loud bat.
Crab Dismemberer: It is so dependent on crabs that in many areas it is simply called the 'Crab Hawk'. They have been observed eating crustaceans of such size that they must take them to a safe branch and meticulously dismember them before swallowing the pieces, leaving piles of empty shells under their favorite tree.