Systematics

Monotypic.

The Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle historically long was classified in a monotypic genus as Spizastur melanoleucus. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data (from both mitochondrial and nuclear genes) suggests, however, that melanoleucus is nested within the genus Spizaetus. The combined data set indicates that Spizaetus tyrannus (Black Hawk-Eagle) is the basal species in the genus, and that melanoleucus is basal to Spizaetus ornatus (Ornate Hawk-Eagle) and to Spizaetus isidori (Black-and-chestnut Eagle) (Helbig et al. 2005).

Originally, the name Spizaetus melanoleucus was given to the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle in 1819 by the same person (Vieillot) who had named the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle as Buteo melanoleucus three years prior. Later, in 1844, the buzzard-eagle was moved to a separate monotypic genus (Geranoaetus) and the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle was moved to Spizastur (Bierregaard et al. 1994a) Interestingly, a later conflict occurred between the names of the same two species as the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle’s placement in the genus Geranoaetus was disputed, and some authors suggested that melanoleucus belonged in the genus Buteo. If that classification were adopted, then the buzzard-eagle would take the name Buteo melanoleucus, which was the original name of the Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle (Wetmore 1933). Another solution is to retain the name Geranoaetus, and transfer some species of Buteo (Variable Hawk polyosoma and White-tailed Hawk albicaudatus) into Geranoaetus as well.