The impressive Black Hawk-Eagle inhabits generally lowlands in tropical forests. Occurs at many sites in extensive, primary forest; but may prefer, or at least tolerate, more open forested habitats. The Black Hawk-Eagle occurs from Mexico south through the Amazon basin as well as in Atlantic coastal forest from eastern Brazil south to northern Argentina. It has a prominent crest, is blackish with narrow white barring below, and broad gray bars on the tail. In flight, this species has a distinctive silhouette with broad, paddle-shaped wings and a rather long tail. They feed on mammals, birds, and reptiles, taken largely from trees and detected from a favorite perch. As in other Neotropical eagles, development is slow and this species likely only nests once every two or three years.
