Rufous-tailed hawk  (Buteo ventralis)

Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

The rufous-tailed hawk was first discovered by Charles Darwin in Patagonia during the famous voyage of the Beagle (4). It is a relatively large bird of prey with long, slender, square-tipped wings and powerful feet. Two distinct varieties of rufous-tailed hawk occur, which have markedly different plumage colouration. The more common “pale” variety has blackish-brown upperparts with cinnamon-rufous feathers on the sides of the head and neck, leaving a darker cap-like area on the crown (5). By contrast, the throat is white with dusky streaking, and the breast and belly are cream to pale reddish-brown, with black spots and streaks (2) (5) The medium-length tail, as the common name suggests, is rufous, and marked with eight or nine horizontal black bars. The less common “dark” variety of rufous-tailed hawk is almost entirely sooty black, with pale edges on the tail feathers, slightly lighter underparts, and a dusky-grey tail with black bars and a white tip. The vocalisation of this species is a harsh, drawn out kee-ahrr (5)

Endemic to the lower Andes of Patagonia, the rufous-tailed hawk is found in low numbers in southern Chile and Argentina, as far south as the Strait of Magellan (6) (7).

The rufous-tailed hawk inhabits forest and open areas, occupying both dense and scattered southern beech (Nothofagus) forest, along with steppe grassland, from sea-level to elevations of at least 1,200 metres (7).

An opportunistic hunter, the rufous-tailed hawk takes a variety of prey, which it catches by perching on a tree branch or fence post before swooping down upon its victim (7) (8). Birds, such as Chilean pigeon (Columba araucana) and red-breasted meadowlark (Sturnella loyca), appear to form the major part of its diet, but it also consumes small mammals, such as rats and hares, as well as reptiles and beetles (7).

Breeding takes place between October and January, at which time a nest—comprising a platform of sticks lined with feathers and wool—is constructed high-up in a large tree. Little else is known about the rufous-tailed hawk’s nesting behaviour or parental care (5).

Owing to a lack of the study, little is known about the population status of the rufous-tailed hawk. There is, however, justifiable concern that its global population may number less than 1,000 individuals, in which case it should be reclassified as threatened (6). While the rufous-tailed hawk is likely to be able to tolerate some forest fragmentation, as ongoing logging activities claim more of the larger, older trees in which this species’ builds its nests, it is likely to decline (6) (7).

There are currently no known conservation measures in place for the rufous-tailed hawk. The initial priority is to conduct surveys to determine the overall population size and trend, and to clarify the threats that this species faces. Protective measures can then be put in place, such as safeguarding areas of suitable habitat against logging (6).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

To learn more about raptor conservation visit:

• The Peregrine Fund:
  www.peregrinefund.org

For more information on this and other bird species please see:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org