Semicollared Hawk

The semicollared hawk (''Microspizias collaris'') is a rare bird of prey species in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is potentially being affected by habitat loss.

Taxonomy

Formerly placed in the genus ''Accipiter'', it is the sister species of the tiny hawk (''M. superciliosus''). The latter was thought to be the only species in ''Accipiter'' yet studied which has a large procoracoid foramen. The ''collaris-superciliosus'' superspecies also differs from the typical sparrowhawks in other respects of its anatomy and as regards DNA sequence. Consequently, the old genus '' Hieraspiza'' may be more appropriate for them. In 2021, a phylogenetic study found it and the semicollared hawk to form a distinct group from the rest of ''Accipiter'', that is sister to '' Kaupifalco''. For this reason, both were reclassified into the new genus ''Microspizias''.

It was formerly thought that the ''Accipiter collaris'' formed a superspecies with "''A." superciliosus'', but it was recently shown that ''A. superciliosus'' might not belong in the ''Accipiter'' genus. This called into question the traits of defining features of the ''Accipiter'' genus, putting ''Accipiter collaris'' and other species previously thought to be in the ''Accipiter'' genus in an unknown position.

Its current genus name, “''Accipiter''”, is Latin for “hawk”, its species name, “''collaris''”, is Latin for “collar”, or “neckband”

Description

This is a small, rare hawk that lives in forests in mid elevations. It has black upperparts and a white band on the back of its neck. Its underparts are white, and it can have blotches on its sides. Young semi-collared hawks are more brownish. It usually stays in the forest and preys on smaller birds, occasionally soaring.

When calling to others, semicollared hawks create a high-pitched, almost whistle-like, sound. In addition, some semicollared hawks have been heard singing songs that consist of the repetition of a mid-pitch ''vvt-vvt'' sound. These songs also contain a series of four quick high-pitched calls that successively get higher.

Distribution and habitat

This species is known to be non-migratory.

Colombia

The semicollared hawk is seen (although rarely) in the 600-1800m range in wet and humid forests, but seen more often in the Pacific slope in Antioquia, Valle, and Cauca, in the central Andes in Tolima and Cauca, in the eastern Andes in Norte de Santander, Santa Marta Mountains, and on the eastern slope of the eastern Andes in western Meta.

Ecuador

They are highly unlikely to live within the subtropical areas on the slopes of the Andes. Recorded from around 1,500-2,200 m, the semicollared hawk is only situated in western Napo and Zamora-Chinchipe on the eastern slope and Pichincha on the western slope. One has been spotted in Otanga, in northwestern Ecuador, at 1,900 m. This is neighboring the Mindo-Tandayapa area, where most other records of semi collared hawks have occurred.

Venezuela

Between 1,300-1,800 m in the humid montane forests in the Andes of Táchira, northwest Barinas, and Mérida, there have only been two claims of spotting this species. The semicollared hawk is extremely scarce in this region.

Behavior

Diet

There is very little information on the feeding behavior of the semi-collared hawk, but In northern Colombia, a male was found with passerine feathers in its stomach. Another semicollared hawk was found chasing Dusky Bush Tanagers at Otanga in the western slopes of the Andes in northwestern Ecuador. These suggest that this species mainly, or only, feeds on birds.

Breeding

The generation length (average age before parenthood) of this species is 5.1 years.

Predation and threats

Primarily due to agricultural expansion, forestry has declined. While this does not seem to currently affect the population, it may present a threat in the future.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q114521

semicollared hawk
Birds of the Colombian Andes
Birds of the Venezuelan Andes
Birds of the Ecuadorian Andes
Birds of the Northern Andes
semicollared hawk
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Taxa named by Philip Sclater