Family: Accipitridae, Hawks and Eagles view all from this family

Description 20-23" (51-58 cm). A stocky black bird of prey with broad wings and a broad white band across the tail; cere and legs yellow, latter visible in flight. When soaring, holds its wings flat and somewhat resembles Black Vulture; light spot visible on underwing at base of primaries. Immatures similar in size and shape but dark brown with tawny barring above, pale buff with streaks below, tail dark with several pale bands.

Habitat Wooded canyons and riverside woodlands.

Nesting 1 or 2 white eggs, lightly spotted with brown, in a bulky nest of sticks lined with green leaves and grass.

Range Breeds from southernmost Utah south through Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, and in southwestern Texas. Most winter south of United States. Also in American tropics.

Voice   Shrill whistled screams.

Discussion These sluggish birds feed mainly on aquatic creatures such as frogs, small fish, crabs, and crayfish. They often perch for long periods on a branch over water, waiting for their prey to appear. This species is vulnerable to disturbance near its nesting sites and seems to be declining in the United States.