Great black hawks (Buteogallus urubitinga) are birds of prey that belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, hawks, and Old World vultures. They are known to feed mainly on reptiles, other small vertebrates, crabs, large insects, carrion, eggs, and fruits, often hunted on foot. However, there is no specific mention of great black hawks eating hawks in the search results.
What Do Great Black Hawks Eat?
Great black hawks are known to have a diverse diet that includes:
- Reptiles
- Small vertebrates
- Crabs
- Large insects
- Carrion
- Eggs
- Fruits
They often hunt their prey on foot, stalking and pouncing on their targets. While they are skilled predators, there is no evidence that they actively hunt and consume other hawks.
Comparison with Common Black Hawks
Image source: Great Black Hawk by Bernard DUPONT
In contrast, common black hawks (Buteogallus anthracinus) are known to eat mainly:
- Fish
- Reptiles
- Small mammals
- Invertebrates
Common black hawks are versatile predators that watch for prey from perches that overhang shallow parts of streams and rivers, then drop onto it. They normally perch in trees or on prominent rocks that afford a good view of a section of water but sometimes search for prey when soaring or even when standing in shallow water.
Habitat and Nesting Behavior of Great Black Hawks
Great black hawks are resident breeding birds in the tropical New World, from Mexico through Central America to Peru, Tobago, and northern Argentina. They are mainly coastal birds but also live in forests and open woodland near water. They build a large stick nest in a tree and usually lay one dark-blotched whitish egg.
Hunting Strategies of Great Black Hawks
Great black hawks are known to be skilled hunters, using a variety of strategies to capture their prey. They often hunt on foot, stalking and pouncing on their targets. They are also known to hunt from perches, scanning the surrounding area for potential prey. Additionally, they may soar and search for prey from above.
Comparison with Other Hawk Species
While great black hawks are known to feed on a variety of prey, there is no specific mention of them eating other hawk species. This is in contrast to some other hawk species, such as the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), which are known to occasionally prey on smaller hawk species.
Conclusion
In summary, while great black hawks are known to have a diverse diet that includes reptiles, small vertebrates, crabs, insects, carrion, eggs, and fruits, there is no evidence that they actively hunt and consume other hawk species. Their hunting strategies and prey preferences appear to be focused on smaller, more readily available prey. The common black hawk, on the other hand, is known to feed primarily on fish, reptiles, small mammals, and invertebrates.
References:
- Wikipedia. Great black hawk. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_black_hawk
- All About Birds. Common Black Hawk Life History. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Black_Hawk/lifehistory
- Reddit. Question about hawks, are they more likely to attack other birds or small mammals? Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/birding/comments/11qmomc/question_about_hawks_are_they_more_likely_to/
- All About Birds. Common Black Hawk. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Black_Hawk/overview
