Grey Hawk

Description:

The Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a smallish raptor found in open country and forest edges. It is sometimes placed in the genus Asturina as Asturina plagiata. The species has recently split by the AOU from the Grey-lined Hawk. The Grey Hawk is found from Costa Rica north into the southwestern United States. The Grey Hawk is 46–61 cm (18–24 in) in length and weighs 475 g (16.8 oz) average. The adult has a pale grey body, the tail is black with three white bands and the legs are orange. It is a solid, un-patterned gray on the upper parts. It usually sits on an open high perch from which it swoops on its prey, but will also hunt from a low glide.

Habitat:

This bird of prey was seen from a boat on the Sarapiqui River near La Selva Biological Research Center in Costa Rica.