Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus melanoleucus Scientific name definitions

The Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle is a poorly known large raptor of Neotropical forests. While its affinities have been debated, recent molecular evidence supports its placement within the genus Spizaetus. It is largely white, with a black back and upperwings, black eye patches, a small black coronal patch, and black-and-gray barred tail. This hawk-eagle superficially resembles the immature Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis), but is much larger and has a small black patch around the eye (yellow in the kite). It occurs from Mexico south through the Amazon basin and in the Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil south to northern Argentina. It is present in a variety of habitats, generally in areas with a mix of forest and some open areas. It feeds on mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians by soaring and then diving on prey. The only documented nest of the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle was made of sticks and placed high in a tall tree on a ridge.