Variable Hawks
Birds of Prey ... The Sport of Falconry
The Variable Hawk (Buteo polyosoma) is a polymorphic species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.
Distribution
It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America, including the Falkland Islands.
Taxonomy
Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into the widespread Red-backed Hawk (B. polyosoma) and the Puna Hawk (B. poecilochrous) of the central and north Andean highlands, but the differences between the two are unclear, and consequently recent authorities have recommended treating them as a single species.
On the contrary, the rare taxon from the Juan Fernández Islands is relatively distinctive, and possibly worthy of species recognition as the Juan Fernández Hawk (B. exsul).
Description
The name Variable Hawk is fully deserved, as both sexes occur in several morphs.
Adults of all have a white tail with a contrasting black subteminal band and grey wings barred dark (in flight from below, the remiges appear whitish with fine barring and a broad black tip). The remaining plumage varies from very dark grey to whitish, and some individuals have reddish-brown to the underparts. Females usually have a reddish-brown back, which males usually lack, although at least some males also have this.
The taxon exsul from the Juan Fernández Islands is far less variable, being whitish below and grey above in adults of both sexes.
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