Quick Facts
Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Conservation Status
Conservation hubClose to qualifying as threatened in the near future.
The ornate hawk-eagle faces threats from habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, as well as persecution by humans. While specific recovery programs are not widely documented, general conservation efforts for raptors in the Neotropics indirectly benefit this species. Responsible safari tourism helps protect these magnificent eagles by funding anti-poaching patrols and providing economic incentives for local communities to preserve the natural habitats these birds rely on.
The ornate hawk-eagle is a 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.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Find
Top parks for Ornate Hawk-Eagle. Sightings recorded in 77 safari areas total.
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