Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Spizaetus
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

SPECIES

Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus

Marshall J. Iliff
Version: 1.0 — Published March 26, 2010

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Vocalizations

Most common call is a loud, ringing whistle with an down-slurred note at the beginning followed by piping "whep" notes : "whit, wheEEeuuu, whep whep whep whep" (Hilty 2003). Variations on this call are most often described by authors (e.g., Stiles and Skutch 1989, Howell and Webb 1995, ffrench 1991, Ridgely and Gwynne 1989). Ridgely and Gwynne (1989) note that this pattern of Ornate is the reverse of Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus); the latter has several brief introductory notes and a slurred final note (Panama; recorded by Linda R. Macaulay; MLNS  108846). These loud whistled calls are often giving while soaring (typically mid-morning) and can be repeated tirelessly (Howell and Webb 1995), often the call is accompanied by a distinctive butterfly-like series of flaps as though shaking the wings (Hilty 2003). This bird is giving a typical series for a flying bird (Aragua, Venezuela; recording by J. Duncan MacDonald; ML 44262)

However, when perched, and especially near the nest, a more frequent vocalization is a long series of piping whistles: "whip..whip..whip ..whip…whip," sometimes adding a downslurred two- or three-noted "whii-euu" or "whii-ehi-euu." These three recordings are typical examples of these prolonged calling bouts that include these different phrases:

Madre de Dios, Peru; recorded by J. Barry; ML 136629

Brazil; recorded by Curtis Marantz; ML 126720

Brazil; recorded by Curtis Marantz; ML 126722

Other descriptions of calls from adults include a loud, ringing "ca-lee-oo," dying away, and followed by an accelerating series of chuckling notes and a Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)-like qu-ouw (Trinidad; ffrench 1991); a hunting call resembling a cat’s snarl (Costa Rica; Slud 1964); and a cat-like scream when disturbed (Stiles and Skutch 1989).

Howell and Webb (1995) describe the call of the juvenile as a loud clear whistle wheeeu or wheeee. Other calls of juveniles resemble the perched adult calls that are a long series of notes, but are possibly higher-pitched, delivered more slowly, and often with fewer variations (doubled notes etc.). This is an example of a known juvenile calling (Amazonas, Brazil; recorded by Curtis A. Marantz; MLNS 112898).

Nonvocal Sounds

None reported.

Recommended Citation

Iliff, M. J. (2010). Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.orheag1.01