Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Pseudastur polionotus
• Spanish Name: Busardo de lomo rojo
• Family: Accipitridae
• Known Nicknames: Mantled Hawk, Mantled Goshawk
• Average Length: 46–51 cm / 18–20 in
• Average Weight: 450–650 g / 1.0–1.4 lb
• Wingspan: 100–120 cm / 39–47 in
• Key Feature: White head and underparts with a dark gray or black mantle (back and upperwing coverts)
• Primary Diet: Carnivore (small mammals, birds, reptiles, large insects)
• Range: Southeastern Brazil to eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina
• Habitat: Atlantic Forest, humid lowland and montane forests
• Social Structure: Solitary or in pairs
• Nesting/Breeding: Large stick nest in a tall tree
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened (NT)
• Population Trend: Decreasing

The Mantled Hawk (*Pseudastur polionotus*) is a striking raptor of Central and South America, distinguished by its unique "mantle"—a dark grey or blackish hood and back that sharply contrasts with its pure white underparts and tail. This medium-sized hawk, reaching about 20 inches in length, has broad, rounded wings and a relatively short tail, giving it a powerful, robust silhouette ideal for maneuvering through dense forest canopies. A special feature is its bare, bright yellow facial skin around the eyes and cere, which stands out vividly against its dark head. Unlike many forest hawks, it is known for its conspicuous behavior, often perching in the open on high branches or snags, from where it launches agile flights to prey on birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Its piercing, whistled calls often betray its presence before it is seen, making it a captivating subject for birdwatchers despite its patchy, declining population due to habitat loss.

Fun Facts

The Mantled Hawk has a remarkably peculiar hunting strategy where it sometimes mimics the calls of other birds, like parrots, to lure curious prey into striking range. Unlike many raptors that rely solely on vision, it possesses disproportionately large, forward-facing eyes that grant exceptional low-light vision, allowing it to hunt effectively at dawn and dusk. It also exhibits a quirky "wing-flash" display during courtship or territorial disputes, rapidly flicking its wings open and shut to reveal stark white undersides, which startles intruders and signals aggression without direct contact.

Habitats & Distribution

The Mantled Hawk is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern South America, primarily occurring in southeastern Brazil, with its range extending into adjacent areas of eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (Misiones Province). Its core distribution centers on the coastal and interior forests of Brazil from southern Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul. The species inhabits humid, dense lowland and montane forests, including both primary and mature secondary growth, typically below 1,000 meters in elevation. It is also found along forest edges, in clearings within the forest matrix, and occasionally in adjacent tall restinga woodlands, but it avoids open or highly fragmented habitats.

Behaviours & Reproduction

The Mantled Hawk is generally solitary or found in pairs, maintaining a monogamous bond during the breeding season. Mating involves aerial displays where the male performs swooping flights and calls to attract the female, followed by copulation on a high perch. The pair constructs a large stick nest high in a tree canopy, often reusing the same site annually. The female typically lays a single egg, an unusual reproductive strategy among raptors, which reduces competition between siblings and ensures focused parental investment. Both parents share incubation duties for about 35-40 days, and the chick fledges after approximately two months, remaining dependent on the adults for several weeks afterward. This low clutch size and extended parental care are adaptations to the species’ forested habitat, where prey availability can be unpredictable.

Diet

The Mantled Hawk (*Pseudastur polionotus*) is a specialized predator with a diet composed almost entirely of other birds, making it an avian specialist. Its primary prey includes a variety of mid-sized forest birds such as guans, tinamous, and parrots, which it captures by ambushing from a concealed perch within the forest canopy. An interesting fact about its feeding strategy is that it often targets birds in flight, using powerful, direct flight to chase and snatch them mid-air rather than hunting from a stationary position. Additionally, this hawk has been observed raiding nests for eggs and chicks, and while birds dominate its menu, it may occasionally supplement its diet with small mammals like squirrels or reptiles. Another notable behavior is its habit of plucking its prey’s feathers before consumption, a trait shared with many accipitrids that helps avoid indigestible material.

Colors

The Mantled Hawk is predominantly white with a pale gray back and wings, featuring a distinctive black mask through the eyes and a black band across the upper chest. Its tail is white with a broad black subterminal band, and the underwings are white with dark flight feathers. This stark contrast provides disruptive camouflage against the sky while hunting in open forests.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Attraction Details

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