A medium-sized bird of prey that lives mainly in tropical forests of Central and South America. It is a quiet and secretive raptor, often overlooked because of its calm behavior and preference for dense woodland. Its appearance is subtle rather than flashy, with dark gray upperparts, a pale gray to whitish belly, and finely barred markings on the chest. The head is relatively large, with keen yellow eyes that give it a focused, alert expression. This combination of muted colors allows the grey-bellied hawk to blend easily into shaded forest canopies.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the grey-bellied hawk is its forest-based lifestyle. Unlike many hawks that soar high in open skies, this species prefers to remain under the forest canopy or perched quietly along woodland edges. It often sits motionless for long periods, scanning the ground and nearby branches for movement. When hunting, it relies on patience rather than speed, dropping suddenly on prey once the moment is right. Its wings are broad and rounded, helping it maneuver smoothly through trees rather than glide over open land.

What sets the grey-bellied hawk apart from other hawks is its specialized diet and hunting behavior. It feeds mainly on reptiles, amphibians, large insects, and small mammals, with a strong preference for snakes and lizards. This makes it especially useful in keeping reptile populations under control within forest ecosystems. Compared to more aggressive hawks, it has a quieter and more reserved personality. It rarely calls, and when it does, the sound is soft and not easily heard over forest noise. Because of this, many people may pass through its habitat without ever knowing it is nearby.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Argentina

2021

Bolivia

2021

Brazil

2021

Colombia

2021

Costa Rica

2021

Ecuador

2021

French Guiana

2021

Guyana

2021

Panama

2021

Paraguay

2021

Peru

2021

Suriname

2021

Venezuela

2021