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 →
Recent sightings of Double-toothed Kite in Utría National Natural Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Utría National Natural Park
Common Black-Hawk
Buteogallus anthracinus
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
American Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Plumbeous Hawk
Leucopternis plumbeus
Roadside Hawk
Rupornis magnirostris
Semiplumbeous Hawk
Leucopternis semiplumbeus
Great Black-Hawk
Buteogallus urubitinga
White Hawk
Leucopternis albicollis
Plumbeous Kite
Ictinia plumbea
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus ornatus
Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.