The ornate hawk-eagle is a fairly large bird of prey from the tropical Americas. Formerly, some authorities referred to this species as the crested hawk-eagle, a name that may cause some confusion as it is more commonly used for an Asian eagle species. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. This species has a feathered tarsus that marks it as a member of the Aquilinae or booted eagle subfamily. This species is notable for the vivid colors and bold markings of adults, which differ considerably from the far more whitish plumage of the juvenile bird. The ornate hawk-eagle ranges from central Mexico south through much of Central America and in a somewhat spotty but broad overall range into South America, including in the west apart from the Andes and broadly on the Atlantic side especially Brazil down to as far as Southeast Brazil and northern Argentina. This species is found largely in primary forests with tall trees, although can be found in many forest types.
Region
Central and South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico through much of Central America and widely, though patchily, in South America east of the Andes, including much of Amazonia and Atlantic Forest remnants. It favors primary and well-developed secondary forests with tall canopy, often near rivers and forest edges. The species hunts within the forest interior but will also work along natural clearings and gaps. It avoids extensive open country and heavily fragmented landscapes. Local presence depends on large trees for nesting and sufficient prey biomass.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking forest eagle of the tropical Americas, the ornate hawk-eagle is famed for its tall black crest, rufous chest, and boldly barred black-and-white underparts. Juveniles look dramatically different, showing much paler, whitish plumage. It was once confusingly called the crested hawk-eagle by some authorities, a name now mostly applied to an Asian species. It is sensitive to forest loss and persists best in extensive tracts of mature woodland.
Immature, Darién National Park (Panama)
Adult, Federal University of Mato Grosso zoo, Cuiabá (Brazil)
Adult in flight, Darién National Park (Panama)
A wild adult in Campeche, Mexico showing characteristic preference for dense forest with tall trees
Largish forest birds, such as this crested guan, are often favored in the diet.
A captive adult, photographed near the Loreto Region, Peru
A young ornate hawk-eagle in the wild
Spizaëtus ornatus, an artist's depiction of it from 1808 or earlier
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with strong, deep wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, maintaining large territories in mature forest. Pairs build large stick nests high in emergent trees and usually raise a single chick. The young remain dependent for many months after fledging, leading to low reproductive rates.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, ringing whistles and piercing screams, often given in series during display flights. Calls carry over the canopy, especially near the nest or during pair interactions.
