Hawks are raptors that belong to the genus Accipiter within the family Accipitridae. There are over 60 recognized species of hawks, with a wide range of sizes, colors, and behaviors. When identifying a specific type of hawk, looking at distinctive features like the tail pattern can be very helpful.
Striped-Tailed Hawks
Within the many species of hawks worldwide, only a few have noticeable striped or banded patterns on their tails. The most well-known striped-tailed hawk species include:
- African Banded Hawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) – Found in sub-Saharan Africa, has 4-5 dark bands on the tail.
- Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus) – Found in South America, has 6-7 dark bands on the tail.
- Gray Frog Hawk (Accipiter soloensis) – Found in Indonesia and nearby islands, has 3-4 gray bands on the tail.
- Henst’s Goshawk (Accipiter henstii) – Found in Madagascar, has 4-5 narrow white bands on the tail.
- Ovampo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampensis) – Found in southern Africa, has 4-5 dark bands on the tail.
- Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus) – Found in Australia, has 3-4 dark rufous bands on the tail.
- Red-Thighed Sparrowhawk (Accipiter erythropus) – Found in Africa, has 3-4 rufous bands on the tail.
- Shikra (Accipiter badius) – Widespread in Asia and Africa, has 3-4 dark bands on the tail.
- Vinous-Breasted Sparrowhawk (Accipiter rhodogaster) – Found in Indonesia and nearby islands, has 4-5 rufous bands on the tail.
As you can see, striped or banded tail patterns occur in several hawk species around the world. However, the number and color of the bands can help distinguish between the different species.
Identification Tips
When trying to identify a hawk with a striped tail, here are some tips to help determine the exact species:
- Count the number of tail bands – Some species like the African Banded Hawk have 4-5 bands, while others like the Cinereous Harrier have 6-7 bands.
- Note band color – Bands can be dark, rufous, gray, or white depending on the species.
- Consider geographic location – Many striped-tailed hawks have limited ranges, which can help narrow down possibilities.
- Observe overall size – Some are small like the Shikra, while others are larger like the Red Goshawk.
- Look at other markings – Plumage coloration on the head, wings, and chest can also aid identification.
- Listen for vocalizations – Species have distinct calls that experts can recognize.
- Check field guides – Guides with detailed illustrations and range maps are invaluable for comparing features.
With close observation and the use of multiple identification techniques, experienced birders can confidently determine the species of many striped-tailed hawks. However, outside of their normal ranges some species can be very tricky to identify.
Tricky Identification Cases
In certain situations, identifying a hawk by its striped tail alone can be challenging even for experts. Some examples include:
- Juveniles – Young hawk plumage can look different from adults of the same species.
- Aberrant plumage – Unusual color variants or abnormal feathers occur.
- Distant sightings – Hard to discern details at a far distance.
- Different lighting – Colors can appear shifted in various lighting conditions.
- Worn feathers – Tail pattern becomes less distinct as feathers age.
- Similar species – Some non-striped hawks may resemble them.
- Hybridization – Interbreeding with other hawk species is possible.
- Vagrants – Rare individuals found outside normal range.
In these challenging cases, photographers should try to get high quality images showing key identification features like the tail, wings, and head. Consulting expert birders and reference materials can also help confirm unusual sightings. Proper identification may not be possible in all situations though.
Important Striped-Tailed Hawk Species
While many hawk species have striped tails, some of the most significant include:
African Banded Hawk
- Found in nearly all countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Prefers woodland habitats.
- Dark brown upperparts, white underparts with rufous barring.
- Juveniles have scaled-down plumage of adults.
- Feeds mainly on small birds, bats, and insects.
Cinereous Harrier
- Found in South America from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego.
- Mostly inhabits open grasslands and agricultural areas.
- Male is grey above with pale underparts, female larger and browner.
- Juveniles resemble adults but with buff scalloping on upperparts.
- Preys on small mammals, birds, reptiles.
Red Goshawk
- Endemic to Australia, found across the northern and eastern regions.
- Occupies woodlands, forests, riparian zones, and wooded farmlands.
- Bright rufous plumage above, barred white below.
- Juveniles show streaked underparts.
- Takes birds and mammals; important predator of feral species.
These hawks fill important ecological roles in their environments by helping regulate prey populations. The African Banded and Cinereous harriers are considered common species within their respective ranges. However, the Red Goshawk has declined significantly and is endangered due to habitat loss and persecution by humans.
Rare Striped-Tailed Hawk – Henst’s Goshawk
One of the rarest and most localized striped-tailed hawks is Henst’s Goshawk. This species is limited to the island of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa. Some key facts about this unique hawk include:
- Endemic to Madagascar, found only in a small region of dry deciduous forest in the northwest.
- Small secretive hawk, estimated population under 10,000 mature individuals.
- Bluish-gray above with black crowns, white below with rufous barring.
- Long graduated tail has 4-5 thin white bands.
- Feeds on small birds, reptiles, mammals.
- Threatened by habitat loss and hunting pressure.
- Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Efforts are underway to protect remaining forest fragments needed by Henst’s Goshawk. But without increased conservation action, this rare striped-tailed raptor faces a high risk of extinction in the coming decades.
Conclusion
In summary, several hawk species can be identified by their distinctive striped or banded tail patterns, such as the widespread African Banded Hawk and localized Henst’s Goshawk. Careful observation and use of multiple identification techniques allows the positive identification of most striped-tailed hawks. However, some juvenile, aberrant, vagrant, or hybrid individuals may not be possible to identify with certainty in the field. Conservation measures are crucial for protecting sensitive species like the endangered Red Goshawk and Henst’s Goshawk that possess this bold tail pattern.
