Hook-billed Kite

Q: What are the chances of seeing a Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Hook-billed Kite sighting in Tortuguero National Park, based on 20 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

Q: When is the best time to see Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park?

February has the highest sighting rate for Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park in our monthly data.

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GenusChondrohierax (Hook-billed and Cuban Kites)
SpeciesChondrohierax uncinatus (Hook-billed Kite)

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

at Tortuguero National Park

20 Verified sightings at Tortuguero National Park From 2019 to 2026

1,645 Verified sightings across all 56 parks From 2019 to 2026

February Best month highest sighting rate

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Hook-billed Kite

The hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus), is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles, and harriers. It occurs in the Americas, including the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical South America.

It is a mid-sized, slender raptor with a large hooked bill. There is extreme variation in bill size and plumage. Birds from beneath can look blackish or gray (especially males) and brown or brick-red (females) variously. This renders species identification at times extremely difficult. The downcurved hook at the tip of the beak is apparent on perched and low-flying birds. Weight can range from 215 to 397 g (7.6 to 14.0 oz) and length is 38–42 cm (15–16.5 in).

Tree snails (e.g. Bulimulus, Homolanyx, and Polymita) are a vital component of the hook-billed kite's diet. The density of their population within a region is proportional to the presence of tree snails. It has also been observed that the beak of the hook-billed kite has adapted in size and shape between different regions of their territory in response to the species... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Tortuguero National Park

Buteogallus anthracinus

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Rupornis magnirostris

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Buteo platypterus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Busarellus nigricollis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Harpagus bidentatus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Leptodon cayanensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Buteo nitidus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Elanoides forficatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Ictinia mississippiensis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Buteo brachyurus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Leucopternis albicollis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Machalilla National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	~20%
2	Cordillera Azul National Park	🇵🇪 Peru	~10%
3	Calakmul Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
4	Soberanía National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
5	Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
6	Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve	🇪🇨 Ecuador	<5%
7	Tikal National Park	🇬🇹 Guatemala	<5%
8	Madidi National Park	🇧🇴 Bolivia	<5%
9	Darién National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
10	Yasuní National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	<5%
11	Palo Verde National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
12	Amacayacu National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	<5%
13	Cahuita National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
14	Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
15	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
16	Tayrona National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	<5%
17	Bastimentos Island National Marine Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
18	Parque Natural Metropolitano	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
19	Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
20	Tortuguero National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
21	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
22	Podocarpus National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	<5%
23	Celestún Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
24	Los Nevados National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	<5%
25	Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
26	Corcovado National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
27	Piedras Blancas National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
28	Farallones de Cali National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	<5%
29	Tambopata National Reserve	🇵🇪 Peru	<5%
30	Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas	🇧🇷 Brazil	<5%
31	Braulio Carrillo National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
32	Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
33	Iguazú National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	<5%
34	Carara National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
35	Los Quetzales National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
36	Emas National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
37	El Impenetrable National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	Insufficient data
38	Serra dos Órgãos National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
39	Cañón del Sumidero National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	Insufficient data
40	Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	Insufficient data
41	Chirripó National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
42	San Lorenzo Protected Forest	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
43	Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca	🇲🇽 Mexico	Insufficient data
44	Henri Pittier National Park	🇻🇪 Venezuela	Insufficient data
45	Santa Rosa National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
46	Ostional Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
47	Marino Ballena National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
48	Chagres National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
49	Cusuco National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
50	Tijuca National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
51	Manuel Antonio National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
52	Lago de Yojoa	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
53	Las Baulas Marine National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
54	Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	🇧🇿 Belize	Insufficient data
55	Iguaçu National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
56	Sierra de la Macarena National Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Hook-billed Kite sighting in Tortuguero National Park, based on 20 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park?

February has the highest sighting rate for Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Tortuguero National Park

Hook-billed Kite

About the Hook-billed Kite

Recent sightings of Hook-billed Kite in Tortuguero National Park

Closest Relatives at Tortuguero National Park

Common Black-Hawk

Roadside Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Black-collared Hawk

Double-toothed Kite

Gray-headed Kite

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Gray-lined Hawk

American Swallow-tailed Kite

Mississippi Kite

Short-tailed Hawk

White Hawk

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

Quick answers