Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith and Kevin Guest (Bushbirds.co.uk) is used with permission.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK Buteo albonotatus
Of all the birds of prey in Paraguay, perhaps the most ingenious of all is the Zone-tailed Hawk. Tired of its prey running for cover as soon as he appeared on the horizon, the Zone-tail evolved a remarkable mechanism for conning its way into a much closer approach. According to proposed theories the Zone-tail mimics the Turkey Vulture, a non-predatory bird that incites no flight response from the Zone-tail´s prey. The Zone-tail copies the Vulture even down to the tilting flight style, and to further enhance the effect often accompanies Vulture flocks. Then as soon as he gets close enough to his target, he pounces, his prey having a split second to realise that perhaps he wasn´t a vulture after all!
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE2718PH) Adult, Hito 4, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE2719PH) Same individual as (FPAVE2718PH) (Paul Smith July 2011)
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE3294PH)  Adult, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Kevin Guest February 2012).
VIDEO A - (FPAVE2720VI)  Adult eating lizard in flight, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
VIDEO B - (FPAVE2721VI) Adult, Hito 4, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3