Birds · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

The ornate hawk-eagle, known in Spanish as águila crestuda real and also as aguililla ornada, togrol, águila copetona real, águila azor galana, águila azor encopetada or águila elegante, is a species of accipitriform bird of the family Accipitridae that lives in the humid tropical climates of the Americas, from southern Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago to southern Peru and northern Argentina. It builds large, prominent nests in trees.

Weight

1 kg – 1.5 kg

Size

56 cm – 68 cm

Lifespan

25 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Moderate

RainforestMountainCarnivore Diurnal In pairs Near Threatened Bird Rainforest Mountain

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Fun facts

Its upright black crest, long and narrow, is unique among the American raptors and makes it unmistakable even at a distance.
It raises one chick every two years and that chick depends on the adults for up to a year after fledging: during that time the pair cannot start another brood, which explains how extremely slow its recovery is.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Primary lowland rainforest and montane forest of tropical America
Sexual maturity: 4 years
Gestation / incubation: 45 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 1 egg

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spizaetus_ornatus