Quick Answer
The most common all black hawk is the Black Hawk-Eagle. This large bird of prey is found in tropical forests ranging from Mexico to Argentina. Some key identifying features of the Black Hawk-Eagle include its striking black plumage, large size with a wingspan over 5 feet, and loud, wailing call. This powerful predator uses its sharp talons and curved beak to prey on mammals, birds, and reptiles. Other potential all black hawk species are rare color morphs such as the Black Red-tailed Hawk. Overall, spotting an all black hawk takes a bit of luck and birding skill.
What Makes the Black Hawk-Eagle All Black?
The Black Hawk-Eagle gets its name from its distinctive plumage. This large raptor has black feathers covering its entire body, including the wings, back, tail, and undersides. Even the legs and beak are a dark blackish color.
The black coloration is produced by melanin pigments in the hawk’s feathers. Melanin causes darker coloration and is the same pigment responsible for black hair in humans. Having more melanin in its feathers helps the Black Hawk-Eagle camouflage in the shady tropical forests it inhabits.
Unlike some hawks that have a light and dark color pattern, the Black Hawk-Eagle does not go through a dramatic molt each year. Its feathers stay black year-round rather than lightening in the non-breeding season. Juveniles may have some faint barring on the tail and wing feathers, but otherwise look similar to the adults.
Identification Tips
When trying to identify a potential Black Hawk-Eagle, there are some key field marks to look for:
- Entirely black plumage on the body, wings, and tail
- Large, broad wings with a wingspan over 5 feet
- Long, fairly broad tail
- Yellow cere and feet
- Dark blackish beak with a pale tip
- Loud, wailing “keee-ah” call
- Soars with wings held slightly raised in a shallow V-shape
The hawk’s enormous size and distinctive call are often the best identification clues. The Black Hawk-Eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the Americas, allowing it to prey on large mammals and reptiles. Taking note of the habitat is also helpful – this species exclusively lives in tropical lowland forests.
Range and Habitat
The Black Hawk-Eagle is found from Mexico south to Argentina. Its range includes:
- Southern Mexico
- Central America
- Northern South America
- The Amazon Basin
- Southern Brazil
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
- Northern Argentina
This hawk inhabits tropical and subtropical lowland forests. It tends to avoid mountainous areas. The Black Hawk-Eagle is found mainly in primary unlogged forests as well as some secondary growth forests. It ranges from sea level up to about 2500 feet in elevation.
Some key habitat features include:
- Tall, mature trees for nesting and perching
- Some semi-open areas for hunting
- Nearby rivers and streams
Diet and Hunting
The Black Hawk-Eagle uses its large size and powerful talons to prey on a variety of animals. Some of its common prey includes:
- Tree-dwelling mammals like monkeys, sloths, possums
- Snakes
- Large lizards such as iguanas
- Cavity nesting birds like macaws
- Rats and mice
- Insects, crabs, and other invertebrates
It typically hunts by perching quietly in a tall tree and ambushing prey as it passes by. In more open areas, the eagle may also soar over the forest and scan for prey below. Its broad wings allow it to swiftly chase prey through dense forest. The Black Hawk-Eagle’s large talons can exert over 400 psi of pressure, enabling it to instantly kill large prey. It may even attack mammals like monkeys and sloths in their sleep at night.
Breeding and Nesting
The Black Hawk-Eagle breeds in the spring and summer months. Courtship displays involve the pair calling loudly and flying together through the forest canopy.
The large stick nest is constructed high up in a tall emergent tree. Both sexes help build the nest, which may be reused each year. Average clutch size is 2 eggs, which are incubated for about 56 days.
The chicks hatch a few days apart and are brooded by the female for the first month. The male provides most of the food at first, with the female later joining in hunting. After 70-80 days, the eaglets are fully fledged and will remain somewhat dependent on the parents for up to 6 months.
Conservation Status
While still relatively widespread, the Black Hawk-Eagle is declining in parts of its range. Habitat loss from deforestation is the major threat. Some other concerns include:
- Logging of old growth tropical forests
- Conversion of land for agriculture
- Secondary poisoning from pesticides
- Poaching of nestlings for the pet trade
Its global population is estimated at 10,000 to 100,000 mature individuals. The Black Hawk-Eagle is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. Conservation actions needed include protecting remaining old growth forest habitat and ending illegal poaching activities.
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the amazing Black Hawk-Eagle:
- Also nicknamed the Great Black Hawk
- One of the largest forest-dwelling raptors in the Americas
- Talons can exert over 400 psi of pressure, among the highest of all raptors
- Has a relatively short, broad tail compared to most hawks
- Pairs perform dramatic flight displays during courtship
- Nest is often located over 100 feet up in an emergent tree
- Has vision 8 times sharper than humans
- Historically considered a subspecies of the Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Other All Black Hawks
While the Black Hawk-Eagle is the most likely species, there are a few other hawks that may appear all black in North America:
Black Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk has a rare dark morph that is entirely blackish-brown. However, this variant is uncommon. Typical identification markers like the belted tail and stocky build can help distinguish it.
Common Black Hawk
The Common Black Hawk is found in the American southwest. It is actually dark gray rather than black. The tail has conspicuous white barring. Juveniles have additional white mottling on the wings and back.
Zone-tailed Hawk
While not truly all black, the Zone-tailed Hawk is very dark with subdued patterning. It can appear solid black in poor light. The best clue is white bands on the tail visible in flight.
Ravens
All black plumage and large size can cause Common Ravens to be mistaken for a hawk at first glance. However, the thick neck, wedge-shaped tail, and distinctive calls identify it as a corvid.
Conclusion
In summary, the Black Hawk-Eagle is the most likely candidate for an all black hawk in the Americas. This powerful bird of prey makes its home in tropical forests from Mexico to Argentina. While other hawk species may rarely display dark morphs, none are truly as strikingly black as this tropical eagle. The Black Hawk-Eagle’s immense size, loud call, and preference for old growth forest help distinguish it from look-alikes. So while spotting any all black hawk takes luck, focusing the search in Latin American jungles is a birder’s best bet.