Savanna Hawk

A new raptor species for Costa Rica !

The Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) is a large raptor found in open savanna and swamp edges.. It breeds from Panama and Trinidad south to Bolivia, Uruguay and central Argentina, and NOW it is nesting in Costa Rica (first sights were 4 years ago).

This hawk feeds on small mammals, lizards, snakes, crabs and large insects. It usually sits on an open high perch from which it swoops on its prey, but will also hunt on foot, and several birds may gather at grass fires.

Seen around rice crop fields at Ciudad Neily, Puntarenas