Double-toothed Kite
Harpagus bidentatus
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusHarpagus (Double-toothed and Rufous-thighed Kites)
- SpeciesHarpagus bidentatus (Double-toothed Kite)
About the Double-toothed Kite
The double-toothed kite (Harpagus bidentatus) is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae. It is found from central Mexico through Central America into much of northern and eastern South America.
Despite its English name, the double-toothed kite is not closely related to most other kites but to the "true" hawks. It shares its genus with the rufous-thighed kite (H. didion). It has two subspecies, the nominate H. b. bidentatus and H. b. fasciatus.
The double-toothed kite is 29 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 60 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in). Males weigh about 160 to 200 g (5.6 to 7.1 oz) and females about 190 to 230 g (6.7 to 8.1 oz). The species gets its English name from the tooth-like notches on the edge of its maxilla. Males and females have similar plumage though the females' colors are richer. Adults of both subspecies have a dark gray head with a white throat that has a dark stripe down its center. Their upperparts are a somewhat lighter gray and their tail blackish with three grayish bands and a gray tip. Their eyes are red, their cere greenish yellow, and their legs and... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Darién National Park
Roadside Hawk
Rupornis magnirostris
Common Black-Hawk
Buteogallus anthracinus
Gray-lined Hawk
Buteo nitidus
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Plumbeous Kite
Ictinia plumbea
Black Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
Crane Hawk
Geranospiza caerulescens
Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja
American Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Gray-headed Kite
Leptodon cayanensis
Savanna Hawk
Buteogallus meridionalis
Black-collared Hawk
Busarellus nigricollis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Double-toothed Kite in Darién National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Double-toothed Kite sighting in Darién National Park, based on 314 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Double-toothed Kite in Darién National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Double-toothed Kite in Darién National Park in our monthly data.