Buteo nitidus
The Grey-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus) is a striking medium-sized raptor of South America, measuring 33-46 cm in length with a wingspan of 67-85 cm. Adult plumage is distinct, featuring a finely barred grey breast and belly, a solid grey back and head, and a white tail prominently marked with a single broad black band and several narrower black bands. Males typically weigh 300-400g, while females are noticeably larger at 400-650g, representing moderate sexual dimorphism in size but not plumage. ...
This hawk primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and gallery forests along rivers, often found near water bodies. It can be observed from sea level up to approximately 2000 meters in elevation, occasionally higher in the Andean foothills.
The Grey-lined Hawk's diet consists mainly of lizards, snakes, small birds, and large insects. It also preys on small mammals like rodents and frogs, primarily through a perch-hunting foraging method.
A diurnal raptor, the Grey-lined Hawk is active during daylight hours, typically roosting inconspicuously in the canopy of tall trees at night. It is a classic perch-and-pounce hunter, often sitting on an exposed branch for extended periods, intently scanning the understory and forest floor for p...
The Grey-lined Hawk's range is exclusively South American, extending across a broad swath of the continent. It breeds and resides from eastern Colombia and Venezuela, south through eastern Ecuador and Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and encompasses a significant portion of Brazil. Th...
Least Concern
- The scientific name *nitidus* means "shining" or "bright" in Latin, likely referring to its distinct and clean plumage. - Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the Grey Hawk (*Buteo plagiatus*) of North and Central America. - Females are notably larger than males, a common adaptati...