Gavilán Dominicano (Ridgway Hawk)

In critical danger of extinction

The Ridgway Hawk, Dominican Hawk, Gavilán Dominicano or Guaraguaito (Buteo ridgwayi) is one of American Birds in greatest danger of extinction. The fact is there are only between 80 and 120 couples of these birds alive.

This bird only lives in some areas of Haiti and Dominican Republic, on the island of Hispaniola, and the small islands around it. It’s possible to find them since the sea level until 200 meters of attitude.

Description

The Gavilán Dominicano is more of less 15 inches long.

What we notice first on an adult, are its muscles or thighs that have a brick colour. On top, it’s the brown grey colour that dominates and the inferior part is reddish.The tail has white and black stripes.

Sometimes, the Ridgway Hawk allow men to get closer and closer to him, before starting to fly.

Habitat

The Guaraguaito lives in forests and jungles, in low and high mountains where there is not many vegetation, and on the hills of limestone. It also likes humid forests and palm forests.

Feeding

The Ridgway Hawk eats lizards, snakes, rats, toads, insects and small birds. This species is in danger because of the massive destruction of its habitat.

Endemic Species of the Hispaniola

It’s one of the species that are threatened by the West Nile Virus. It’s in Critical Danger of Extinction (CR) according to the UICN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Dominican Republic Live