AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

The Gray Hawk (Buteo Nitidus) is Two Species (Buteo nitidus Comprende Dos Especies)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2011
Authors:Millsap, BA, Seipke, SH, Clark, WS
Journal:The Condor
Volume:113
Issue:2
Date Published:2011
ISBN Number:00105422
Keywords:Accipitridae, Buteo, Buteo nitidus, Buteo plagiatus
Abstract:Abstract. We compared the plumage, morphology, and the alarm call of two taxa of the Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus) from north and south of a distributional gap in the species’ range in Costa Rica. We found all age and sex classes completely distinguishable on the basis of several discrete plumage features. Three of four age and sex classes were diagnosably distinct by measurements of external morphology alone, and the two taxa had diagnosably different alarm calls. On the basis of the level and stability of morphological differentiation, and consistent with prior work suggesting substantial genetic differentiation between the two taxa, we recommend they be recognized as full species, B. nitidus, the Gray-lined Hawk, south of the distributional gap in Costa Rica, and B. plagiatus, the Gray Hawk, north of the gap.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/cond.2011.100089
Short Title:The Condor
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