Credit: Mark Watson
North American field guide
Common Black-Hawk
Buteogallus anthracinus
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Identification
Field notes
53 cm (21") Rare. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Wooded streams.
Very broad wings. Short broad tail. All dark except for whitish spot near tip of wings seen in flight and white band at base of tail and narrow white terminal band. Suggests a Black Vulture.
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Credit: Mark Watson
Credit: Ross Tsai
Watch and learn
Videos
Common Black Hawk. Caya Coco Cuba 2011
Credit: Hennie LammersCommon Black-Hawk - Buteogallus anthracinus - El Cantil to Termales trail, Pacific Choco
Credit: COLOMBIA BirdingCommon Black Hawk Costa Rica
Credit: Ersel The ExplorerBird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants · 4 rules
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
Common Black-Hawk
2 rulesRule 1 14 criteria · confidence 1
- Where was the white seen in flight ?
- Mainly on the wings · Unknown
- Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?
- Yes · Unknown
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- In flight
- What SHAPE were the wings ?
- Rounded · Unknown
- What SIZE was the TAIL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Light band across the middle · Light band at the tip · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
- What colour was the BELLY ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
- Uniform color
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Southwestern United States
Rule 2 12 criteria · confidence 1
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- While landed
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Light band across the middle · Light band at the tip · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour was the BELLY ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
- Uniform color · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour was the THROAT ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Southwestern United States
Common Black-Hawk (Immature)
2 rulesRule 1 12 criteria · confidence 1
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- In flight
- What SHAPE were the wings ?
- Rounded · Unknown
- What SIZE was the TAIL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
- What colour was the BELLY ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
- Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Southwestern United States
Rule 2 11 criteria · confidence 1
- How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
- While landed
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
- Dark and light bands across it · Unknown
- What colour was the BELLY ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
- Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
- Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Hawk-like
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Southwestern United States