The Gundlach's hawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. It is one of 21 endemic bird species of Cuba. The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German-Cuban ornithologist Juan Cristobal Gundlach (1810–1896). It is threatened by habitat loss and human persecution.
Region
Greater Antilles
Typical Environment
This species inhabits mature evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, pine woodlands, and coastal mangroves across Cuba, including Isla de la Juventud. It favors large tracts of forest with dense canopy and understory, where it can ambush prey from shaded perches. It also uses forest edges, riparian corridors, and lightly disturbed woodland mosaics, but generally avoids open farmland and urban areas. Nesting typically occurs high in tall trees within relatively undisturbed stands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Gundlach's hawk is a scarce forest raptor found only in Cuba, named for the German‑Cuban naturalist Juan Cristóbal Gundlach. It is elusive and often detected by its rapid kek-kek calls rather than by sight. Habitat loss, human persecution, and trapping pressure have contributed to its decline.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it is solitary and secretive, hunting from concealed perches. Breeding pairs defend forest territories and build stick nests high in canopy trees. Clutches are small, and both adults share incubation and chick provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include a rapid series of sharp kek-kek-kek notes, often given from cover near the nest. Alarm calls are harsher and more insistent, while contact calls between mates are softer and shorter.
Plumage
Adults are dark slate-grey above with whitish underparts heavily barred rufous to cinnamon; tail is long with bold dark bands. Juveniles are brown above with buffy edges and heavily streaked underparts. The throat is pale with a narrow dark mesial stripe; underwing shows fine barring in flight.
Diet
An ambush predator, it primarily takes small to medium birds such as doves and passerines. It also captures reptiles, especially lizards, and occasionally small mammals and large insects. Hunts rely on sudden dashes from cover, short pursuit flights through the understory, and surprise attacks along forest edges.
Preferred Environment
Most hunting occurs inside mature forest, along trails, and at edges where prey activity is concentrated. It also forages in mangroves and near riparian corridors with dense vegetation.
