Mexican Highlands red-tailed hawk

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Mexican Highlands red-tailed hawk
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
Species:
Subspecies:
B. j. hadropus
Trinomial name
Buteo jamaicensis hadropus
Storer, 1962

The Mexican Highlands red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis hadropus) is a subspecies of red-tailed hawk endemic to the Mexican Highlands[ clarification needed ]. Not all authorities recognize this race, [1] however, in recent years, most list it as valid. [2] [3] Like other Neotropical races, this one is relatively small. wing chord averages 378.9 mm (14.92 in) in males and 401.1 mm (15.79 in) in females. Males and females average 215 and 230.4 mm (8.46 and 9.07 in) in tail length, 89.1 and 88 mm (3.51 and 3.46 in) in tarsal length and 26.3 and 26.8 mm (1.04 and 1.06 in) in culmen length. [2] [3] Apparently, this race is similar to B. j. kemsiesi to the south but unlike that race it has rufous barring that extends to the flanks and belly. Apparently, some dark morphs have occurred. One other unique feature is its massive feet (as implied in the subspecies' scientific name), with a toe length nearly 10% longer than the western red-tailed hawk (B. j. calurus) despite its otherwise small body size. The evolutionary reason for these relatively large feet is unknown. [4] [2] [3]

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The Florida red-tailed hawk is a subspecies of red-tailed hawk. It occurs year-round in peninsular Florida north as far as Tampa Bay and the Kissimmee Prairie and south down to the Florida Keys. This subspecies is very large, only the southwestern red-tailed hawk averages larger in overall dimensions. Although a non-migratory subspecies, its wings are notably longer than those of the eastern red-tailed hawk and S. b. umbrinus may be conspicuously larger than the relatively small southern S. b. borealis that they overlap with. The wing chord of males can range from 396 to 400 mm, averaging 398.8 mm (15.70 in), and, in females, it ranges from 373 to 432 mm, averaging 408.9 mm (16.10 in). Males and females average 225 and 234 mm in tail length, 91.1 and 88.9 mm in tarsal length and 27.2 and 30 mm in culmen length. Compared to B. j. borealis which it replaces, it has a darker back, more similar to the dark brown of the western red-tailed hawk. Adults tend to have chestnut to rufous side patches, multiple tail bars and no barring on the "trousers". A very rare dark morph has been reported.

References

  1. Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. (2001). Raptors of the World. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN   978-0-7136-8026-3.
  2. 1 2 3 Preston, C. R. & Beane, R. D. (2009). "Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)". The Birds of North America. doi : 10.2173/bna.52.
  3. 1 2 3 Storer, R. W. (1962). "Variation in the Red-tailed Hawks of southern Mexico and Central America" [Variación de los gavilanes colirrojos del sur de México y Centroamérica]. The Condor. 64 (1): 77–78.
  4. Palmer, R. S. ed. (1988). Handbook of North American Birds. Volume 5 Diurnal Raptors (Part 2).