Cryptoleucopteryx plumbea
The Plumbeous Hawk (Cryptoleucopteryx plumbea) is a striking, medium-sized raptor of the family Accipitridae, distinguished by its uniformly slate-gray plumage, bright orange-red cere and lores, and vivid yellow legs. Measuring 33-39 cm (13-15 in) in length with a wingspan of 66-76 cm (26-30 in), adults exhibit darker wings and a short, black tail prominently marked with a single broad white band and white tip. Juveniles are similarly gray but often paler, with a yellowish cere and sometimes ...
Exclusively inhabits humid tropical and subtropical forests, ranging from lowland rainforests to montane cloud forests, typically found from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
Primarily preys on ectotherms, including lizards, frogs, and snakes, supplemented by large insects such as grasshoppers and cicadas, and occasionally small birds and mammals. Forages mainly by perch-hunting from concealed positions within the forest.
This secretive, diurnal raptor is most often observed perched quietly and cryptically in the mid-canopy or understory, scanning its surroundings. Its primary foraging strategy involves a 'perch-and-pounce' technique, stooping rapidly from a hidden vantage point to ambush unsuspecting prey on the ...
The Plumbeous Hawk is a resident species distributed across a wide, yet often fragmented, range spanning southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Its northernmost extent includes southern Mexico (specifically Oaxaca and Chiapas), continuing southward through Belize, Guatemala...
Least Concern
- The Plumbeous Hawk belongs to a monotypic genus, *Cryptoleucopteryx*, meaning it is the sole species within its unique evolutionary lineage. - Its name 'plumbeous' refers to its lead-gray coloration, making it camouflaged within the shaded understory of its forest habitat. - The bright orange-r...