The white-browed hawk is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae. It is found Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
Region
Western and southern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland evergreen rainforest across parts of Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. It favors primary terra firme forest but also uses mature secondary forest and seasonally flooded várzea. Most records are from interior forest and along quiet river corridors and edges where it can hunt from shaded perches. It is generally scarce to uncommon and patchily distributed, with presence tied to continuous canopy cover.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy, forest-dwelling raptor of the Amazon Basin, the white-browed hawk is often overlooked because it hunts from concealed perches beneath the canopy. Its crisp white eyebrow is a quick field mark against its otherwise dark face. It relies on intact lowland rainforest and is sensitive to heavy deforestation. Despite being globally not at risk, local declines may occur where forests are fragmented.
Illustration by Josephe Smit, 1869
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides; occasional soaring above the canopy
Social Behavior
Typically encountered alone or in pairs, maintaining territories within extensive forest. Pairs are thought to be monogamous and nest high in tall trees, building a stick platform. Clutch size is small, and both adults likely attend the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Quiet for long periods, but gives clear, whistled notes and piping calls that carry through the forest. Alarm calls are harsher and more insistent when disturbed near the nest.
Plumage
Mostly dark brown to blackish with a contrasting clean white supercilium and pale throat; tail dark with a broad white band and narrow terminal edging. Underparts are dusky with lighter mottling or barring, especially on the belly and flanks. Wings appear dark above, with paler panels visible in good light.
Diet
Predominantly takes small vertebrates such as lizards, snakes, frogs, small birds, and small mammals; also large insects when available. Hunts by sit-and-wait from mid-level to canopy perches, dropping swiftly on prey detected below. Opportunistic along forest edges and river margins where prey activity is concentrated.
Preferred Environment
Hunts within the forest interior, along edges, and beside quiet streams and oxbow lakes. Often selects shaded perches with clear sightlines to the understory or forest floor.
