Ornate Hawk Eagle

 

(Spizaetus Ornatus)

 

The Ornate hawk-eagle has the widest distribution of any Neotropical eagle. They  largely perch within forest canopy, but will sometimes be out on exposed branches especially earlier in the morning. Their soaring activity peaks in the late morning.

This species largely forages inside forests, often perch-hunting. This entails short flights from tree to tree at mid-story heights while foraging, or “sitting and waiting” from hidden vantage points near the center of a dense canopy. Over 100 prey species are known for ornate hawk-eagles, with a particular preference for large birds such as chachalacas, guans and curassows.

Fun Facts

• They are one of three hawk-eagles native to Belize.
• Females tend to be two times bigger than the males.
• They swoop down from a high altitude and pick their prey from the ground, or chase them through the trees.

Belize Zoo Trivia

Athena was shot to the wing by farmers who believed she had been hunting their chickens. She was rescued by the Zoo’s General Curator, Humberto Wolhers. Her wound has healed, but she is unable to properly fly or soar like other members of her species.