Photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Galapagos Hawk
Buteo galapagoensis
Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) — Birds of Prey of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 1.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
- Genus Buteo
- Species galapagoensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Galapagos Hawk preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense woodland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Galapagos Hawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) belongs to the Accipitridae family of the order Accipitriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Galápagos.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.1 kg, with a wing length of about 40.3 cm and a tail of around 23.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5,640 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Galapagos Hawk?
The Galapagos Hawk is a very large bird that weighs around 1.1 kg.
Where does the Galapagos Hawk live?
The Galapagos Hawk is found across South America with a range covering SA Galápagos, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Galapagos Hawk belong to?
The Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Galapagos Hawk eat?
The Galapagos Hawk preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Galapagos Hawk migrate?
The Galapagos Hawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Galapagos Hawk endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Galapagos Hawk's range?
The Galapagos Hawk has a mapped global range of about 5,640 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Accipitridae
A field guide to the Accipitridae family — 254 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.