The Crane Hawk

The Crane Hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens, is perhaps not one of the most famous members of the hawk or harrier family, but has physical characteristics that set it apart from many other birds of prey.

Part of the Accipitridae family, the family of birds that includes the majority of birds of prey, the Crane Hawk is by no means the largest bird of prey, nor even the largest hawk but does have some distinguishing features. It is most commonly grey in colour, although the tail feathers are predominantly black. Across the tail though are two white bands, and the tip is also white. The Crane Hawk also has orange legs, unlike most other hawks or harriers.

Crane hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) - CC-BY-SA-2.0

In flight, the Crane Hawk has the ability to glide silently, like most hawks, and needs only the occasional beat of its wings to remain airborne.

It is often a case of the rarer a bird the more well known it is. The publicity for endangered birds certainly ensures that for at least a short while they are talked about in the media. However, the Crane Hawk is a bird rated as being of Least Concern. There are no exact figures of how many Crane Hawks are currently to be found in the wild, although a conservative estimate does rate them as numbering in excess of 500,000. It is, however, almost universally recognised that numbers have decreased in recent years; this decrease being a result of their preferred habitat also declining in area.
Crane Hawks are widespread, and can be found in most countries in South and Central America, as well as Australia, and even a few examples have been seen in the United States.

Crane Hawk - jerryoldenettel - CC-BY-SA-2.0

South America in particular offers up many of the conditions in which Crane Hawks thrive. Although Crane Hawks can make their home just about anywhere, they do have preference for subtropical and tropical forests, as well as mangrove and swamp areas.

Crane Hawks will feed on just about any form of prey, and will eat snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders and the young of other birds. As such, the Crane Hawk is often competing with other predators for the same food source. Fortunately, the Crane Hawk has unusual legs, which enables it to climb and also enables it to dig around in crevices; this allows them to seek out prey that other birds cannot reach.
The Crane Hawk is one of the most sought after birds during any arranged bird-watching tour, and, although not especially rare, is like many hawks, a delight to see when in hunting mode.