Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Cladus: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Ordo: Accipitriformes

Familia: Accipitridae
Genus: Leucopternis
Species: Leucopternis semiplumbeus
Name

Leucopternis semiplumbeus Lawrence, 1861
Synonyms

Leucopternis semiplumbea

References

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York 7 p. 288

Vernacular names
español: Busardo Semiplomizo
polski: Białostrząb panamski

The semiplumbeous hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Morphology

The semiplumbeous hawk is a small bird, averaging about 12–13 inches (30–33 cm) in length[2] (approximately the size of a kestrel or merlin). It is dark gray above with white underparts and a white throat.[3] The semiplumbeous hawk is easily identifiable due to its striking orange cere and black face mask.[2] It has bright yellow eyes and its legs and feet are orange to orange-red in color.[4]
Behavior, hunting, and diet

Semiplumbeous hawks are rarely seen in flight. Instead, these hawks typically perch silently on a high branch, waiting for prey.[2] This sit-and-wait strategy of feeding is similar to the feeding behavior of other Leucopternis species.[4] The semiplumbeous hawk often follows swarms of army ants in order to capture antbirds,[2] which, along with other small songbirds, make up a large portion of its diet. It might also feed on bats,[4] lizards and snakes.[3]

During the breeding season, this species is known to be quite vocal and produces a series of loud, piercing upslurred whistles that sound like "kwee...wee...wee...wee...wee." Outside of breeding season, it tends to be more silent, but may occasionally produce a high-pitched, thin upslurred whistle that is repeated at intervals.[4]
Habitat and distribution

Semiplumbeous hawks can be found in the eastern part of Honduras and eastern Nicaragua, as well as in the southern areas of western Colombia (east to Magdalena Valley) and northwest Ecuador (Esmeraldas and northwest Pichincha). There have been several recent reports of semiplumbeous hawks being seen and heard in the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve in northern Peru, which may refer to either this species or a closely related new species.[4]

Semiplumbeous hawks are typically found in humid forests located in tropical and lower subtropical zones. It can be observed in various locations such as forest edges, in and around forest fragments, and in tall second-growth areas throughout Colombia. Although it can be found from sea level up to 1000 m, it is usually present in elevations below 500 m. It has been reported up to 1600 m in altitude in one instance.[4]
Population and research

Semiplumbeous hawks is currently categorized as "Least Concern" in terms of global threat level and is listed under CITES II, but was previously classified as "Near Threatened." Despite being considered locally common in some primary forest areas and being able to tolerate tall second-growth forest. The overall population of semiplumbeous hawks is small – estimated at 1,000 to 10,000 mature birds – and declining.[5] This is likely due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Its entire range spans an area of less than 300,000 km2, and the global population is estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 individuals.[4]

Like other members of its genus Leucopternis, it is very poorly known and there is much to be learned about the biology and population ecology of this species.[3]
Gallery

Leucopternis semiplumbeus (1869), Joseph Smit
Leucopternis semiplumbeus (1869), Joseph Smit

References

BirdLife International (2020). "Leucopternis semiplumbeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22695775A168803103. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22695775A168803103.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
Henderson, Carrol L. "Birds of Costa Rica." University of Texas Press, 2002 and 2010. pg 71
"Semiplumbeous Hawk (Birds of Cocobolo Nature Reserve) · iNaturalist Panamá". iNaturalist Panamá (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-09-22.
Bierregaard, Richard O.; Boesman, Peter F. D.; Marks, Jeffrey S. (2020). "Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.semhaw.01.
BirdLife International 2009. Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbeus at Birdlife.org.